Italian WW2 Arm Shield ID Help Please

[John T]

Hello Everybody.....I picked this one out of a bunch of Italian bringbacks this weekend because I liked the design. Can anybody tell me what unit this was worn by?

Thanks,

John

[John T]

Seems to be bronze, or maybe bronze over zinc?

[ITALIANWARFRONT]

Hello Everybody.....I picked this one out of a bunch of Italian bringbacks this weekend because I liked the design. Can anybody tell me what unit this was worn by?

Thanks,

John

Fifth anti paratrooper battalion arm shield 1944 1945

Giorgio

[John T]

Fifth anti paratrooper battalion arm shield 1944 1945

Giorgio

Hi Giorgio:

Thank you very much for the information.

Kindest Regards,

John

[Raffaello Carola]

nice and rare armshield of the “V Btg.” Antiparacadutisti of the RSI,
The V battalion was dislocated to Vergiate (Varese) and Cannobbio (Novara).
This armshield was produced from the Lorioli company of Milan in brass
metal painted with green dark green color/clearly.
To the beginnings of autumn 1944, with the units of flight disabled to
operate for gasoline lack, were constituted nine Btg.Antipara named
in the Div. "Azzurra" (blue) at the commander of del General B.A. Cerutti Marziale.
This battalions have functions of garrison to localities of relief, antiaircraft
and of sabotage in the comparisons of the partisans.
The battalions shields are composed of nine exemplary one for every battalion, but
they came some only produced for four the V, and IX battalions.
These shields are product for stamp in brass metal and painted with different
colors, exist in two version large and small (the type of John is large)
They are all the reproduced in the book “Italian shields 1930-1946”
of Francesco Tavoletti.
regards
Raffaello

[Raffaello Carola]

page 166 “Italian shields 1930-1946” of Francesco Tavoletti.

[John T]

Hi Raffaello:

Thank you for the very detailed and most interesting information on this shield.

It really makes the piece come to life when you can attach the history to the men who wore the piece!

Kindest Regards,

John

[Dennis S]

I see a lot of these for sale on E-bay on occasion from a seller from Italy that is notorious for fakes. I have never had a fake in hand. Can anyone
advise the differences to look out for.

[John T]

HI Dennis:

From what I have learned since I picked up this shield, the fakes are made from a different material than the originals. It is possible that they are made from a different die, I do not know for sure though..for example a die may have been created first hand from an original shield or cut anew from the design. If you have any links to the copy ones I would like to see them to study.

John

[Raffaello Carola]

I see a lot of these for sale on E-bay on occasion from a seller from Italy that is notorious for fakes. I have never had a fake in hand. Can anyone
advise the differences to look out for.

Hi Dennis,
yes exist an good copy of this shield, those are the backside photos of
two original shield.

[Raffaello Carola]

2

[Raffaello Carola]

Jhon is possible to have an close up photo of back side of the shield
thanks, Raffaello

[Dennis S]

Rafaello, Why does the second shield reverse appear raised on my monitor, Like an inverted reverse. Looking at Johns it appears the same.

[Raffaello Carola]

Rafaello, Why does the second shield reverse appear raised on my monitor, Like an inverted reverse. Looking at Johns it appears the same.

Dennis I think it has been folded by soldier to join the best arm of tunic

[Dennis S]

No, what I mean is on the first photo you show of the reverse the eagle and letters appear as usual on shields , but the reverse on Johns and your second one appear the eagle and letters are raised ,but still opposite of the front. Maybe it's just an optical illusion to my old eyes. I hope I am not confusing you with my question. In other words the backs of the two look like reversed fronts to me.