SEE BELOW FOR DESCRIPTION

C008658 ITALIAN INFANTRY 2ND LIEUTENANT'S SERVICE TUNIC.

BACKGROUND: In March 1919 Benito Mussolini established the, Fascio di Combattimento, (Union of Combatants), political party in Milan and fascism was born in Italy. Shortly afterwards the FdC adopted the black shirts that the anarchist laborers of the Romagna region of Italy had worn previously. Mussolini was first elected as a member of the Chamber of Deputies in the general election of 1921. In a fortunate set of circumstances, due to a general strike, economic chaos and a dissatisfied populace, Mussolini was able to depose Premier Luigi Facta and was appointed as Premier by King Victor Emmanuel III following the infamous "March on Rome", on October 28TH 1922. Now with Mussolini’s Partito Nazionale Fascita, (National Fascist Party), firmly in control the black shirts were to become ubiquitous through-out Italy. A decree of February 1ST 1923 reorganized the fascist militia and introduced a new designation, MVSN, Milizia Volontaria Sicurezza Nazionale, (Volunteer National Security Militia). On July 25TH 1943 the Grand Council and King Victor Emmanuel accepted Mussolini’s "resignation", and had him imprisoned which resulted in the Italians conceding to unconditional surrender on September 8TH 1943 bringing an end to Mussolini’s fascist rule. The Fascist Grand Council was the supreme constitutional authority in Italy from 1922 until Mussolini’s arrest in September 1943. The Italian army had originally adopted a grey-green uniform in 1909 which remained in use until it underwent modifications in 1925. The 1925 uniform underwent further modifications in 1933 and again in 1935 and remained basically unchanged through-out WWII. Generally EM/NCO personnel were issued with pantaloons with puttees or long wool socks and ankle boots while officers wore breeches with the tall boots. The "C.S.I.R." (Corpo di spedizione Italiano in Russia (Italian Expeditionary Corps in Russia)) was created on the 10th of July, 1941and arrived for service in Russia at the end of July 1941 and was initially under the control of the German 11th Army commanded by Generaloberst Eugen Ritter von Schobert. The initial strength consisted of 59,000 men, with 3,000 officers, 5,500 motor vehicles and over 4,000 horses and mules. Part of the "C.S.I.R." contingent was the 52nd Torino Semi-Motorized Infantry Division which consisted of the 81st and 82nd Torino Infantry Regiments and the 52 Artillery Regiment.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A lined grey wool/rayon blend tunic with a subtle whipcord weave . The tunic features four exterior pockets, a four-button single-breasted front closure, an open neck and a lay-down collar. The larger buttons to the front closure, and the smaller buttons to the pockets and shoulder straps, are all in olive drab bakelite and all appear to have their original stitching. The pleated patch breast and hip pockets each have straight-edged button-down flaps. Sewn to each collar are infantry collar tabs that are blue with a vertical central yellow stripe and a single silver star. Stitched to the tunic above the left breast pocket is a faded green and red, vertically striped, ribbon bar with two stars which is the Commemorative Medal of the War, 1940-43, with one star for each year of service while pinned to the pleat in the left pocket is a small oval, gold colored medallion with a ribbed edge and the figure of a dancing bull to the center which is the Municipal coat of arms of Torino. Inserted through and handstitched to the top front closure buttonhole is a Russian Front Medal ribbon which is a German award for at least fourteen days of participation in combat on the Russian front between November 15TH 1941 and April 15TH 1942. The tunic has integral, sewn in, plain grey, pointed tip shoulder straps. Alloy gilt rank tresses, consisting of one stripe, which forms a loop at the middle top are stitched to each sleeve just above the simulated French cuffs. The configuration of the tress indicates the rank of Second Lieutenant (Sottocapomanipolo). A vertical tail skirt vent is to the reverse. The interior is fully lined in grey rayon with a quilted reinforcing pattern to the breast areas while the armpits have a gold colored reinforcing patch and the sleeves are lined with a white with black striped rayon. The armpit cloth has worn thin and is losing its color. There are five double horizontal threads along the rear seam in the liner that may have tightened the seam but are loose. Hand stitched to the liner just below the collar is a silver-grey cloth manufacturers label with blue embroidered text "Abbigliamento Sartoria S/A Militare E Civile" (Apparel Dressmaker's to Soldier and Civilian), "A.s.s.a." and "VIA XXIV Maggio 7p.p. Roma." Also on the label is the makers mark which is the stylized letters "ASSA" within a diamond. Other than the armpit lining having moderate sweat staining and some minor usage stains to the exterior the tunic is in very good condition with no tears and all the stitching intact. The tunic is roughly a size 40" chest.

GRADE****                             PRICE $468.00

To Order this item, please use one of the two e-mail addresses below to contact us. Please make sure to quote the item number in your e-mail

-E-Mail Address pawmac@nbnet.nb.ca  Or  guild@nb.aibn.com

To return to the main page please CLICK below

HOME (CLICK HERE)