Italy Sardinia & Kingdom of Italy War Merit Cross 1940 - 1945 R Barac# 533, Bronze 43x38 mm.; With not original ribbon; the Cross was initially instituted in 1918, by King Vittorio Emmanuele III, to reward merit during war time. This is the version of the medal that was issued by the Italian Republic, in 1949, following the fall of the Monarchy; Condition-I; (KW1959)