Italy, Fascist State. An Arditi Skull Ring & A Black Brigade Skull Beret Badge

1. Italy, Kingdom. A Fascist-Period Arditi Skull Ring; Constructed of silver, the exterior bearing a ribbed field overlaid by an Arditi-style skull and crossbones, unmarked, measuring ring size 10 and weighing at 3.7 grams, in extremely fine condition.

2. Italy, Fascist State. A Black Brigade Skull Beret Badge, c.1943. In die-stamped silvered bronze, the reverse shows a vertical clip, measuring at 47.5mm (w) x 43.2mm (h), and weighing at 5.9 grams, loss of lacquer to the eyes and nose, remains in very fine condition.

Footnote: The RSI (Repubblica Sociale Italiana/ Italian Social Republic) was a paramilitary unit in Northern Italy which was under Fascist control and occupied by the German Army. The metal “smiling” skull was worn on the beret surrounded by a gold embroidered bullion wreath.