BACKGROUND: In March of 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 throughout 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 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 of 1943.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: A grouping consisting of a visor cap, tunic, trousers and leather "Sam Browne" belt with holster and cross strap. A very nice, brown wool, ribbed body with a gilt tress centre band of two single width tresses signifying rank of Lieutenant. A large hand embroidered Alpine Infantry insignia in gilt wire is attached to the front. The insignia consists of an eagle in flight above bugles and crossed rifles. To the center of the embroidery is a black felt circular base with small hole where there might have been a number attached. The gilt wire shows light tarnish but other than a couple of flat spots is still fully intact. The brown visor has a brown shiny bakelite coating on the top and a green colored bottom. The brown leather chinstrap is attached by gilt washed buttons embossed with the Alpini insignia. To the interior is a brown leather sweatband with a seam at the rear which has a stylized silk bow. the cap is lined in a light brown rayon which has the maker name under a cellulous sweat-diamond. the logo consists of a drawing with the text "Articoli Militari De M. Bonora" and "Piazza Liberta 9-Udine, Telefono 21-16". the cap is in good condition with some minor nap wear and a small black stain to the exterior while the interior has a couple of minor picks and some yellowing to the sweat-diamond. A nice example of a scarce Alpini officers visor cap. The unlined, tan-khaki tunic is single breasted, with a lay down collar, a five button front closure with four large brown bakelite buttons and a smaller one at the collar, two pleated breast pockets, and two waist saddle bag pockets all with scalloped button down flaps. There is also a button to the rear of the collar that holds it down in place along with two more buttons to each sleeve cuff. A five-pointed gilt washed star is mounted to each of the typical Italian "flame" collar tabs, in green wool, handstitched to each collar. Mounted to each shoulder are pointed, slip on, felt shoulder boards which have a black background with a green border. Sewn to each board are hand embroidered Alpine Infantry insignia in gilt wire, smaller versins of the cap badge, with a green center instead of black. Below these are sewn two gilt wire five pointed stars that indicate the rank of Lieutenant. The boards attach by means of a felt cloth tab, that is sewn to the bottom of the board and has mating snaps to the top, that passes though a loop on the shoulder. Sewn to the left sleeve is a green cloth shield with a gold machine embroidered upward pointed dagger with the text "Divisione Alpina, Pustaria" and the number "5" (5th Mountain Division Pustaria). Pinned above the left breast pocket is a bi-metal pin, consisting of a silver colored, shield shaped, stamped base on to which has been attached a gilt washed eagle above a scroll and five pointed star on a blue enamel base. Embossed to the scroll is the text "Club Alpino Italiano". Of Note: The "Club Alpino Italiano" (Italian Alpine Club) is a free national association, Formed on October 23, 1863 in Turin for climbing in all its manifestations, knowledge and the study of mountains, especially those in Italy, and the defense of their natural environment. Sewn to either side at the waist are cloth belt loops. Stamped to the interior juat below the collar is "46" and hand written to the bottom left rear of the exterior is what appears to be "84 - 496". Other tahn a few minor stains and picks the tunic is in good condition. The ribbed brown cotton twill construction straight-leg pants feature a four button French fly with an additional button at the waistband. The interior fly also has a small extended fabric tab with an additional button and a corresponding button holed fabric tab. The trousers have two vertical slash side seam pockets. The trousers have a dual reverse pleat to either side of the fly opening. The waistband has six vertical belt loops. The reverse of the pants have two horizontal slash pockets with single button closures. The interior waistband lining and the pocket bags are all constructed in a burgundy cotton/rayon blend fabric. The trousers are in overall excellent condition with minimal age toning, a couple of small stains and the left pocket bag stitching starting to separate.. All of the buttons are molded brown bakelite and all appear to have original stitching. The trousers are roughly size 31" waist. A nice quality, mid-brown, 2" wide leather belt. The belt features, to one end, a double-clawed steel buckle and leather retaining loop. Seven pairs of buckling holes, for the buckle are to the other end of the belt. Near the buckle end are four steel "D" rings, positioned above and below one another, with the top ones approximately 12" apart and the bottom ones 5 ½" apart. To the upper "D" rings is attached the cross strap while the lower ones were for the sword frog. The brown, two piece leather strap is made up of a long shoulder strap, about 37" long, that tapers to one end with seven adjustment holes for the buckle and a shorter strap, about 10" long with a single prong buckle to one end and two leather retaining loops. To the other end of both straps are eyelets that fold over to mate with steel studs at the end of the straps to attach the straps to the "D" rings. The belt and strap are still flexible and in very good condition with only minor age darkening and some usage staining to the interior. The smooth, chocolate brown leather holster, possibly for a beretta pistol, features a fold over top flap that has a stitched on vertical closure strap and a small horizontal slash near bottom edge. Body of holster has a raised brass bar that inserts through the horizontal slash on top flap and the vertical closure strap is then inserted through the raised brass bar for secure closure. To the rear is a stitched and riveted horizontal belt loop though which the belt is threaded. The holster is in very good condition with some usage wear and stains to the interior. A very nice example of a of an Alpini Officers tropical uniform.

GRADE****                                                    PRICE $895.00