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C023658 ITALIAN FASCIST MILITARY SERVICE OFFICER'S DRESS FEZ.
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). The high command of the MVSN was the CGFM, Console Generale Fascita Milizia, (General Consul of the Fascist Militia), and was supreme authority concerning all MVSN matters. Personnel serving with the CGFM were distinctive identifying uniforms and insignia. One of the distinctive Italian uniforms items was the "Colbacco" style Fez worn for parade and semi-formal and formal dress. The Fez’s for EM/NCO’s were constructed in wool while Officers ranks Fez’s were constructed in fine black fur.PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Very nice quality, fine black fur construction, oval fez type cap with black braid ornamentation, black rayon trim and a black artificial silk tassel. The cap features all around side panels with vertically ribbed black rayon trim to the top edges which encompass the central oval crown. The cap has dual black braids which run down the lateral length of the crown and extend down the right side panel with two evenly spaced dual intertwined knots. The braid to the crown ends in the multi-strand black artificial silk tassel which was intended to hang over the right side of the cap. The left side panel of the cap has large woven bright gilt rayon inverted "V" rank tress insignia neatly hand stitched in place. The inverted "V" rank insignia consists of two tresses separated by a fine interwoven black stripe. The insignia indicates the rank of Capomanipolo, (Lieutenant). The front center of the cap features a hand embroidered, star topped fasces in gilt wire threads with black accent threads. The fasces is positioned above a circular panel with gilt bullion outer threads encompassing a black wool dot with a gilt wire "17" to its center. The insignia indicates an officer serving in the 17th legion located in the city of Cremona. The interior of the cap has a black rayon lining with a wide brown leather sweatband. The leather sweatband has stiffened, cracked and torn with age, the liner is ripped, the stitching of the crown has mostly separated from the body, the fez has been flattened and the rank tress and insignia have dulled with age but it is still a nice looking, fairly rare, dress fez.
GRADE**1/4 PRICE $835.00
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