Italy, Kingdom. An Order of the Roman Eagle, III Class Commander

(Ordine Civile e Militare dell'Aquila Romana). Instituted 14 March 1942 by King Victor Emmanuel III. (1942-1944 official issue; issued by the Italian Social Republic until 1945). Type I (1942-1943). Civil Division. In silver gilt with red, white, blue and green enamels, type I as designed by the crowned eagle on the obverse centrepiece, unmarked, measuring 52.3 mm (w) x 55.5 mm (h inclusive of its integral ring), weighs 32.34 grams with ribbon, loop suspension attached to original full-length neck ribbon, enamels missing from the bottom right quadrant of the cross symbol on the eagle’s chest, crack in the enamels of the 9 o’clock obverse arm, otherwise extremely fine. 

Footnote: The Fascist Civil and Military Order of the Roman Eagle founded in 1942 and was abolished in Italy in 1944, although it continued to be awarded by Benito Mussolini in the short-lived Italian Social Republic until 1945. It was awarded in five grades: I Class Knight Grand Cross, II Class Grand Officer, III Class Commander, IV Class Officer and V Class Knight, in Civil and Military Divisions. A self-styled order of the same name was founded by Romano Mussolini, fourth and youngest son of Benito Mussolini in 1997.