Miniature circular gilt and matt black bronze medal with loop for ribbon suspension; the face with a lion crushing a dragon bearing a hammer and sickle underfoot imposed on a gilt cross made up of four swords, a radiant sun and the date ‘17 JULIO 1936’ above, all within a gilt border with an oak and laurel wreath; the reverse with a gilt eagle soaring above the arms of Spain, a helmet and the yoke and arrows symbol of the Falangists within a circular border inscribed ‘ARRIBA ESPAÑA – GENESSMO. FRANCO VICTOR. – UNA GRANDE, LIBRE, IMPERIAL, M. HISP. GLOR.’; diameter 15.61mm (0.61 inch); on original ribbon for service at the front, with crossed swords. The medal is mounted inversely on the ribbon, that is, the face is towards the rear and the reverse facing outwards when worn. We have decided to leave it as originally mounted. The medal was established on 26 January 1937 and awarded to members of the Falangist forces fighting against the Republicans in the Spanish Civil War. The date on the medal of 17 July 1936 is that of the beginning of the armed rebellion against the Republican government. The rebels failed to take control of major cities, including Madrid and Barcelona, whilst the government could not successfully suppress the uprising. A long and bloody civil war lasting until 1 April 1939 followed, with atrocities on both sides and eventual victory for the conservative rebels. The medal is quite rare in miniature.
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