France, Ii And Iii Empires; Italy, Kingdom. A Lot Of Three Awards

Includes: 1. France, Second Empire: St. Helena Medal, Bronze Grade (Médaille de Sainte-Hélène). Instituted in 1857 (in bronze, hallmarked with an anchor on the obverse, measuring 31.3 mm (w) x 50.8 mm (h), replacement ribbon); 2. France, Third Empire: Combatant's Cross (Croix du Combattant). Instituted in 1930 (in bronze, hallmarked and marked "BR" bronze on the reverse, measuring 36.3 mm (w) x 36.3 mm (h), original ribbon); 3. Italy, Kingdom: Medal of Honour for Italian Volunteers of the War of 1915-1918 (Distinivo d’Onore per gli ex Irredenti Italiani Volontari di Guerra). Instituted in 1923 (in bronze, engraver marked "P. MORBIDVUCCI" on the obverse, the maker mark on the reverse illegible, measuring 32.5 mm (w) x 37.3 mm (h) inclusive of its integral suspension, on incorrect ribbon). All three medals exhibit extensive green oxidation on their edges and reverses from storage. Poor to fair.

Footnote: 1. The French St. Helena Medal was instituted on August 12, 1857 by Napoleon III, for issue to all surviving French and foreign soldiers, from the land armies or naval fleets, who served the Republic or the Empire between the years 1792 and 1815. It is believed that 405,000 medals were issued.

2. The French Combatant's Cross was instituted on June 28, 1930 for award to holders of the combatants card, awarded to the veterans of the Great War and many of the participants of conflicts involving French forces since (including the Second World War, the Korean War, Indochina, North Africa, etc).

3.The Italian Medal of Honour for Italian Volunteers of the War of 1915-1918 was instituted by Royal Decree 1626 on October 16, 1921 for those who volunteered for service in the Italian-Austrian War (First World War), which was regarded by many in Italy as the final phase of the Risorgimento (the Unification of Italy) begun in 1848. It was later awarded for campaigns in East Africa and Spain, along with the Second World War.