1859 French Service Medal Italian Campaign MŽdaille pour service dans la Campagne d'Italie

This is the first French campaign medal, which was awarded in 1859 to the soldiers and sailors who served in the Italian War of Unification. The medal has an original ribbon and a silver hallmark (which has been partly scratched). The face of the medal shows a profile of the Emperor Napoleon III and reads: NAPOLEON III EMPEREUR and BARRE (the maker is Albert DŽsirŽ Barre). The reverse lists the battles of the campaign and reads: CAMPAGNE D'ITALIE 1859.

Circa 1859.

The medal itself measures approximately 1 " in diameter (3cm), and with the ribbon it measures 3 " in height and 1 " in width.

Silver and watered silk.

Watered silk ribbon.

The front of the medal reads: NAPOLEON III EMPEREUR and in smaller letters: BARRE. The reverse of the medal reads: CAMPAGNE D'ITALIE 1859 around the edge, and in the center is a list of the important battles in the campaign: MONTBELLO, PALESTRO, TURBIGO, MAGENTA, MARIGNAN, SOLFERINO,

This is from a large collection of French items which we will be listing more of over the next months. VFEX08 LAFEX SABEX10/13

8+ (Excellent) This medal shows some wear and tarnishing, but is in excellent condition.

As with all my artifacts, this piece is guaranteed to be original, as described.