Nice Medal - What Is It?

[Scott]

I found this one on a Spanish militaria site. It said it was circa 1931, but it lost me after that. It looks like medal version of the Spanish War Cross badge. Am I close?

Scott

[Jacques]

Cruz de tropa de la Orden Militar de Mar?a Cristina

1931

sin lises

[Scott]

Thank you. Beautiful piece.

Scott

[Riley1965]

A VERY NICE piece indeed!!!

Doc

[Sal Williams]

I do not believe that this was awarded to LC members. Is that accurate jacques?

Best, Sal

Edited June 25, 2006 by Sal Williams

[Jacques]

I already saw it somewhere bt can't find it again. For sure, never awarded to LC members.

jacques

[Panzerpionier]

As Jacques wrote before, that medal is a enlisted men Maria Cristina Cross. It was awarded between 1925 and 1931. After that year it was discontinued, and the recipients had to change the red-white-red-yellow-red-white-red monarchist ribbon for a red-white-red-yellow-purple-white-red republican one; the crown was changed for a republican one, and the three fleur-de-lys in the center disc were removed. Other fleur-de-lys on the cross arms were replaced by castles and lions.

The sample above could have been modified as per 1931 regulations, or probably it was made after 1931 as a replacement with all the mentioned changes included.

Needless to say that it was not awarded to LC personnel.

On the other hand, the SCW era "Cruz de Guerra" (War Cross) is a simplified version of the Maria Cristina Cross breast stars for officers.

Edited June 26, 2006 by Panzerpionier

[Scott]

Very interesting. Thank you gentlemen.

My apologies for posting in the wrong section.

Scott