PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: An Italian uniform grouping consisting of a tunic, sweater, pants and beret. The lined grey-green wool tunic which has no collar or lapels was originally used by paratroopers and features a four button front closure with two pleated breast pockets and two bag pockets to the hips, all with scalloped button-down flaps. The sleeve cuffs each have two buttons to allow some adjustment. The larger buttons to the front closure, and the smaller buttons to the pockets and cuffs, are all in brown bakelite and a couple of them may have been replaced. Sewn to each side of the neck opening are red felt collar tabs which have to the top a stamped metal winged "Lion of St. Mark" with the motto to is base "Iterum Rudit Leo" (The Lion Still Roars), while to the bottom is a stamped metal wreath with an upwards pointing short sword which has "Italia" on its cross guard and indicate the "San Marco" Marines. Stitched to the tunic above the left breast pocket are two ribbon bars and above them is a diamond shaped pin. The first ribbon is a War Merit Cross with bronze sword which was awarded for acts of valor that were deemed insufficient for the Medal of Military Valor while the second is a is a faded green and red, vertically striped, ribbon bar with one gold star (Five years of service?) which is the Commemorative Medal of the War, 1940-43. The diamond shaped pin is a Commemorative Award for Operations against Greece and Yugoslavia. Pinned above the right breast pocket is gold colored badge that consists of a fasces overlaid by crossed swords with a swastika to the center. This was an honor badge that was given to troops who had competed their training in Germany and has started to blacken in areas due to oxidization. To either arm are sewn sergeants rank chevrons that consist of a wide gold chevron to the top and a small chevron to the bottom separated by a black line. Sewn to the shoulder above the right chevron is a gilt wire diagonal strip while sewn to the left sleeve is a shield shaped metal plate with a blue background with a red "X ^a" with "Flottiglia MAS" (Motoscafo Anti-Sommergible, [Anti-Submarine Motor Bout]) and a skull with a flower in its mouth. Looped around the left shoulder and attached to the left breast pocket button by a loop is a red braided lanyard. The entire interior including the sleeves is lined in a ribbed grey rayon while there are two six inch vertical skirt vents to the rear. Included with the tunic is the original belt made of the same colored material as the tunic. The tunic is in good condition with light to moderate nap wear to the exterior with numerous small holes to the interior liner. The tunic is roughly a size 40" chest. The grey-green, knitted wool, turtle neck sweater is showing its age with a few small to medium holes. The baggy trousers are made from the same grey-green material as the tunic and have a three button French fly closure with a hook and eye to the waist. To either side are slightly angled, almost vertical slash pockets as well as a single horizontal slash pocket, with a button closure, to the right rear. To the exterior waist are sewn five belt loops while the interior of the waist is lined olive-drab rayon with "56" stamped to the back along with a illegible makers mark. The pocket bags are all made from a white cotton. The ankles of the trousers each have a strap and adjustment buckle. The trousers are in good condition with some light nap wear and the seams at the ankles having been let out a bit. The grey green beret has sewn to the front a hand embroidered, gilt wire cap badge that consists of a metal fouled anchor on a background of red, to the center of a wreath, with a Republican Eagle above. Sewn to the left side of the beret is the same sergeants rank chevron as on the sleeves of the tunic. The beret is lined in a grey rayon and is in good condition with some light nap wear. A very interesting grouping from a short lived Marine Infantry Division.

New information added Feb 21st.

    I had a couple of collectors who specialize in Italian uniforms contact me to let me know that they feel/think that certain elements of the insignia may be restored to this uniform. It was also pointed out to me that the "Training in Germany" badge is considered to be a replica. 

    Anthony,.. thank you for bringing it to my attention.

    Peter

GRADE***3/4                             PRICE $3,100.00