Mussolini's Body Guard Medal?

[skypilot]

I throw myself at the mercy of the more learned forum members as this item is so far removed from my normal theme as to be out of sight!

I have been offered this medal as part of a large group purchase:
http://i1057.photobucket.com/albums/...2/IMG_0454.jpg
http://i1057.photobucket.com/albums/...2/IMG_0456.jpg

The seller is 87 years old and his father served in WW1 (I have already purchased the father's WW1 group of medals). According to the son, his father served as part of the Italian equivalent of the Liebstandarte from what I can make out and this medal was awarded for that service.

Can any forum members give me an idea or background to this medal and what sort of value as I want to be fair in my offering. Is it scarce?

Any pointers very much appreciated.

[NickG]

Interesting. Never heard of it. Here it is in the actual thread. MVSN marked on the back.

[andrea]

. ...According to the son, his father served as part of the Italian equivalent of the Liebstandarte from what I can make out and this medal was awarded for that service.

Can any forum members give me an idea or background to this medal and what sort of value as I want to be fair in my offering. Is it scarce?

Any pointers very much appreciated.

it is correct , moschettieri del duce was a team initially composed by 30 guys as Duce boyguards, but this team increase till reach 180 "soldiers", before starting the second war. these guys were not always in service,only when necessary, due to the team was composed by retired Army Officiers, VIP as Lawyers/free-lance/politics etc.. The Moschettieri guards becomes somethings similar to the actual ,I can say.."Pope Swiss Guard", with more as representative units. Due to it was an elite unit everything belong to them as medals,uniforms etc ..it is expensive and scarce to find, the prices ......
ciao

[NickG]

Its a cool find. So confirmed indeed related to the bodyguard unit of the Duce!
I am posting the back of skypilot's find just in case photobucket link disappears.

[andrea]

Its a cool find. So confirmed indeed related to the bodyguard unit of the Duce!
I am posting the back of skypilot's find just in case photobucket link disappears.

In this side is writeen how il Duce use to consider this elite : "moschettieri , silents and faithfuls" in italian it sound as a rhyme, moschettieri silenziosi e fedeli...
Andrea

[skypilot]

Thank you gentlemen, very much appreciated.

Andrea - is there a known list of those who served in the unit?

[andrea]

Thank you gentlemen, very much appreciated.

Andrea - is there a known list of those who served in the unit?

I never heard about a list, and if it there was probably ,i suppose it has been deleted before end of war.
Andrea