1895-96 Royal Italian Navy Medal. This is a rare and historically important Italian Royal Navy medal, issued for service aboard the R. The medal features maritime and national symbols, including an anchor and the Royal Italian Eagle, representing both naval service and royal authority. This piece likely belonged to a sailor or cadet who served on the Cristoforo Colombo, a steel-hulled corvette of the Regia Marina, used at that time as part of the Training Squadron based in Venice. Design: Large anchor at center, a timeless symbol of naval strength and duty. Features the Royal Italian Eagle, emblem of the Kingdom of Italy and its military might. Bold and finely detailed relief work, consistent with late 19th-century Italian medal engraving. Loop missing (originally intended for ribbon or chain). Surface wear consistent with age; fine details remain visible. No cracks or repairs. Damage to rim, scratches, signs of wear and use. Uncleaned patina for collector-grade authenticity. Was launched in the early 1890s to serve both in colonial deployments and later in naval cadet training. In 1895, it joined the Training Squadron, alongside the corvette. To instruct future naval officers. Why Collect This Medal? Scarce Regia Marina artifact from the pre-WWI Italian naval buildup. Celebrates the legacy of Christopher Columbus (Cristoforo Colombo) and Italian maritime pride. Appealing to collectors of naval history, 19th-century medals, or Italian royal memorabilia. A powerful symbol of Italy’s naval modernization in the late 1800s. Check out our other Italain medals, militaria and naval items.