A gas nitrided layer is formed over the entire surface of a piston ring. A physical vapor deposition film of CrN is formed over the gas nitrided layer at the outer circumferential surface. The physical vapor deposition film has oxygen contained in a solid solution state in a crystal structure of CrN in a content of 0.5 to 20 percent by weight, pores dispersed at a rate of 1 to 15 percent within the film and a crystal structure of CrN with a preferred orientation (200) parallel to the surface being covered. The Vicker's hardness of the film is within a range of 1000 to 1800. The physical vapor deposition film of CrN can be formed beneath a wear resistant film covering the outer circumferential surface of the piston ring. The wear resistant film is for instance, a physical vapor deposition film of chromium nitride such as CrN or Cr.sub.2 N.