Antique WWI Genuine U.S. Military Issue 1916 Silvered Brass Rosary 16 inch
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For auction here is a genuine, U.S. military-issue rosary distributed to Catholic soldiers and sailors who requested them during WWI and early in WWII. All of these rosaries were made in 1916 under contract with the U.S. government, and most were distributed during the first World War. Those few left over after the first war were pulled out of storage 26 years later in 1942, until objections about separation of church and state ended the practice.This rosary is made of brass, plated in silver, and features the center medal that is always found on these rosaries - Mary on the front in profile, and Christ carrying the cross on the reverse (symbolic of the soldiers who carried the burden of our freedom).The crucifix is the version with the letters INRI at the four ends of the cross (most likely manufactured by Di Roma, but I can't verify that because, as a term of the manufacturers contract, all of these rosaries are un-marked - no writing on them at all - one of the hallmarks of a genuine, military-issue rosary).The rosary is in complete, original condition. All of the silver plating is still present (unusual) and some of the "blacking" is still visible on the crucifix and center medal. Originally the entire rosary would have been blackened, but it wore off very easily and sometimes is completely gone. With the exception of patina,
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