C019894 ITALIAN OFFICERS PALATINE GUARD UNIFORM GROUPING. 

PALATINE GUARD (from Wikipedia)
The Palatine Guard (Italian: Guardia Palatina d'Onore) was a military unit of the Vatican. It
was formed in 1850 by Pope Pius IX, who ordered that the two militia units of the Papal
States be amalgamated. The corps was formed as an infantry unit, and took part in watch-
keeping in Rome. The only occasion on which it saw active service was during the token
resistance on 20 September 1870 to the occupation of Rome by Italian government troops.

History
After 1870 and the unification of Italy, the corps was confined to Vatican City where they
performed ceremonial functions as a guard of honor. The Palatine Guard were usually
seen either when the Pope was in Saint Peter's Square, or when a head of state or other
important visitors were received by the Pope. Members of the corps were part-time
volunteers, who were not paid for their service, though they received an allowance for
replacement or repair of their uniforms. The unit lacked modern weapons and the
guardsmen received little training beyond drill in marching and presenting arms. The corps
was also the only one in the service of the Vatican to have a full military band.
The Second World War was a high point in the history of the Palatine Guard. In September
1943, when German troops occupied Rome in response to Italy's conclusion of an
armistice with the Allies, the Guard was given the responsibility of protecting Vatican City,
various Vatican properties in Rome, and the Pope's summer villa at Castel Gandolfo. The
guardsmen (mainly Roman shop keepers and office clerks) whose service had previously
been limited to standing in ranks and presenting arms at ceremonial occasions, now found
themselves patrolling the walls, gardens and courtyards of Vatican City and standing
guard at the entrances to papal buildings around the Eternal City. On more than one
occasion this service resulted in violent confrontations with Italian Fascist police units
working with the German authorities to arrest political refugees who were hiding in
buildings protected by the Vatican. At the outbreak of the Second World War in September
1939 the Palatine Guard mustered some 500 men, but the German occupation required
the recruitment of additional personnel. By the liberation of Rome in June 1944 the corps
had grown to 2,000 men, but at the end of the war the majority of these men left the
Pope's service and the unit returned to its pre-war force level.

Disbandment

The corps, along with the Noble Guard, was abolished on 14 September 1970 by Pope
Paul VI as part of the reforms of the Church following the Second Vatican Council. Before
it stood down it was transformed into the Papal Honor Guard (Guardia d'Onore del Papa).
Former guardsmen were invited to join a new group called the Saints Peter and Paul
Association, whose statutes were approved by the Pope on 24 April 1971. This civilian
association supports charitable, educational, and religious programs in Rome.

Uniform
Throughout most of its history the Palatine Guard wore a nineteenth-century uniform
comprising a shako or kepi, dark blue tunic and light blue trousers. During World War II
armed members of the Guard undertook patrols and guard duty in a practical field uniform
consisting of grey overalls and red beret.
The Kepy (visor cap) used by members of the Pontifical Palatine Guard, the renowned
military unit established by Pope Pius IX in 1850 and active until the pontificate of Paul VI.
The kepi features on the front the distinctive insignia of the Guard, with the monogram
GPP over the crossed keys and papal tiara. The kepi has its metal pompom and red
plume; uniform complete, in good overall condition.

Complete officer's uniform of the Palatine Guard, consisting of kepi, tunic, trousers, and accoutrements. Rank: Second Lieutenant. 

-Few buttons missing on the trouser and one belt loop pulled loose.
-Tunic chest size 36" 
-Trousers size 26". 
-Kepi roughly a 56.

GRADE ****                             PRICE $

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