Circular bronze medal with eyelet for ribbon suspension; the face with the head of a hatted Bersaglieri to the left and the helmeted head of Benito Mussolini to the right, both facing left, dated below ‘1836-1936 . XIV’; the reverse with the Bersaglieri coat of arms centrally, circumscribed ‘1. CENTENARIO DEI BERSAGLIERI’; on an old incorrect ribbon; sold with a length of correct ribbon.
The Bersaglieri (sharpshooters) were highly mobile light infantry, created by General Alessandro La Marmora on 18 June 1836 as part of the Royal Sardinian Army which later became the Royal Italian Army. They are instantly recognisable by their wide-brimmed hats decorated with black capercaillie feathers.
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