Italy, Kingdom. A National Security Volunteer Militia's Long Service Cross, East Africa Campaign

(Croce di anzianità di servizio per la milizia volontaria per la sicurezza nazionale). Instituted in 1933. Ten Years' Service, with Bronze Gladius for the East Africa Campaign. In bronze, the obverse centrepiece inscribed with the initials "MVSN" (Milizia Volontaria per la Sicurezza Nazionale = National Security Volunteer Militia, popularly referred to as the 'Blackshirts'), the reverse centrepiece inscribed "DIECI / ANNI” (Ten Years), measuring 38.5 mm (w) x 50 mm (h) inclusive of its trapezoid-shaped loop, very light contact, with bronze gladius affixed to its original ribbon, the gladius representing participation in the East Africa Campaign, near extremely fine.

Footnote: The National Security Voluntary Militia’s Long Service Cross is a medal established in Italy on January 23, 1933 by royal decree and awarded for ten years of good services within the militia. In 1943, it became necessary to also create a decoration for twenty years service. Due to the critical wartime situation, the decision was made not to strike a new cross with a twenty year reverse, but instead to institute a ribbon device. This device, a Roman gladius (sword) coloured in red, was instituted on January 28, 1943. A bronze gladius was created to designate participation in the East Africa Campaign.