Italy - “Ice Cross” of the CSIR by L. Milano

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A Croce commemorativa del Corpo di Spedizione Italiano in Russia o Croce di Ghiaccio 1942 - manufactured by Lorioli Milano of Roma and designed by A Picozzi of Milano. Awarded to all those who served in the CSIR during the winter campaign of 1941-1942 on the Eastern Front in World War II. It is constructed out of a die struck zinc base that has been silver washed and contains white enamel paint work. The obverse features a white pattée style cross with a with a rope type pattern border. The fullback reverse is marked “C.S.I.R.” (Corpo di Spedizione Italiano in Russia) along with “DNJEPER/DONETZ” (top), “BUG” (left), “DON” (right) and “Luglio 941/Luglio 942” (bottom) along with the maker and designer mark to the bottom “Lorioli Milano Roma” and “A Picozzi of Milano”. To the top is an integral trapezoid shaped loop that holds 6 inches of black silk like ribbon. This is period replacement ribbon, textbook original issue ribbon is white and black. It retains beautiful paint work! It measures 1 11/16 inches square. A rare award!