Vatican, International. A Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Mary of Bethlehem, Commander, c.1940 consisting of a blue enamelled Romanian Cross with clusters of nine gilt rays in eac constructed of a bronze shaft

constructed of a bronze shaft bearing etched designs

hallmarked with a rooster beside "II" (

In July of 1943 wear of this type of runic SS breast insignia was extended to all SS personnel serving in one of the Waffen-SS units who did not qualify to wear the SS runic collar tab: among these units were 7

Award Document for the 1938 Medal

edged by light green “hellgrün” Waffenfarbe piping

Vatican, International. A Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Mary of Bethlehem, Commander, c.1940 consisting of a blue enamelled Romanian Cross with clusters of nine gilt rays in eac constructed of a bronze shaft(Ordine Militare ed Ospedaliero di Santa Maria di Betlemme). Instituted in 1459. Badge with a three piece construction, in bronze gilt with blue enamels, the obverse centrepiece with a lighter shade of blue enamels, the badge suspended from trophy of arms with a two piece construction in fire gilt bronze with blue and white enamels, measuring 58 mm (w) x 112 mm (h) inclusive of its trophy of arms suspension, intact enamels, extremely fine. Footnote: