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Italian Fascist
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Italian WWI Alpini Soldier’s Mountain Cap> (Item I-FAS 4-1) |
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| DESCRIPTION: The Alpini, meaning “The Alpines” were and are the elite mountain-warfare soldiers of the Italian Army. They were originally formed in 1872, and their mission was to protect Italy’s northern mountainous borders. They distinguished themselves during WWI when they fought against Austro-Hungarian forces in what has been called “The War in Snow and Ice.” During WWII the Alpini fought together with German forces mostly on the eastern front, being tasked to hold the front in the Don River plains. During WWII Italy fielded six Alpine divisions. They saw combat in France, Africa, Italy, Albania, the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, and Greece. They were faithful to their leader, Benito Mussolini, and dedicated to the ill-fated mission to rid the world of the menace of international communism. The cap is quite rare and examples do show up from time to time, but (invariably) missing the feather; this one has the correct elusive plume! The original owner of the cap undoubtedly was Catholic because his hat is “holy”; excuse the pun! What we are saying is that the piece, although great looking, is, unfortunately, full of moth holes. “Those damned moths are very fond of Italian food, or it would seem so.” Seriously, however, this is a very sharp-looking Italian forage cap and really quite rare in any condition. It has the proper bullion eagle device as the cap’s badge, and the proper crow’s feather with the holding insignia. The label inside reads: “ARISTON, Qualita Insuperabile, Super Extra.” There is a signature “MOLO,” probably the former owner. Yes, there are quite a few holes, but the cap is generally in sound condition and will make a great display item in any good WWII collection. This is a good investment. This is an NCO rank.
PRICE: $485.00 |
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Italian Fascist Fez of the MVSN; Corporal Rank> (Item I-FAS 4-2) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is a very nice example of the traditional black fez of the MVSN. This has the inverted ‘V’ on its side in bullion material indicating the wearer was a corporal in the "Blackshirt" brigades. The fez was originally an ancient headwear piece used by various elite forces within Europe. Mussolini brought it back and it was his choice always for his own uniform. The MVSN (Milizia Volontaria per la Sicurezze Nazionale), Security Volunteer Militia or "Blackshirts," were paramilitary groups in Italy during the period immediately following WWI and up until the end of WWII. Inspired by Giuseppe Garibaldi’s “Red Shirts,” the Blackshirts were organized by Mussolini as a military function of his fascist movement. The founders of these paramilitary groups were nationalist intellectuals, former army officers, or members of the special corps Arditi, young landowners who opposed peasants’ and country laborers’ unions. These Blackshirts were established as the Squadristi in 1919 and consisted of many disgruntled soldiers who may have numbered 200,000 by the time of the famed Mussolini March on Rome from October 27-29, 1922. In 1922 the Squadristi were reorganized into the milizia and formed numerous bandiere and on February 1923, the Blackshirts became the MVSN. The organization was formed on the order of the ancient Roman army. In 1940 the MVSN was able to muster 340,000 first-line combat troops providing three divisions; 1st, 2nd, and 4th, all three of which were lost in the North African Campaign. Although for the most part they fought bravely they had poor leadership; nothing like the crack troops of the German Africa Corps under the Desert Fox (Rommel). This fez is truly a classic example of this great uniform. It is in fine condition with only slight mothing at its top. It is designated as a size ‘57.’ It has the traditional bush side décor and bullion Italian fasces on the front and of course the NCO’s inverted bullion (V). The inside liner is in gray silk. It has a stamp in the sweat band that reads ‘Roma’ and this maker is again seen in the inside crown. It says “Depositata ROMA.” Above this is the company logo with the Capitoline wolf with Romulus and Remus, the founders of ancient Rome. Below this are the colors of the “March on Rome” used on sashes, and important flags and standards. This is a beautiful WWII relic of a time of grandeur and mighty Imperium gone forever!
PRICE: $585.00 |
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Please refer to item designator in parentheses in all correspondence.
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