I'm researching some of my Italian ancestors and came across these photos in a family album. Can anyone shed some light on branch of service they might be?
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Photos didn't process.... try again.
Where in Maine? I'm in Kittery.....
I can probably help....depending on the photos, of course...
John G.
Mainemilitaria
Set up at Rochester, NH Flea Mkt. every weekend (8-4*) Exit 16 off Spaulding Turnpike, Rt. 125 N. (on left, heading toward Milton- couple miles from highway)....(*for me 9:00-3:30). -
Small world, I'm in Kittery, too!
Sorry, having trouble linking to Flickr. Does this work?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dadurling/10846881884/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dadurling/10847062523/Comment
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The first picture is of two enlisted soldiers wearing the M1909 uniform. There isn’t much more I can tell you. I can’t clearly see the cap insignia (fregio). The collar insignia (mostrine) is for support troops (artillery, engineers, medical, quartermaster, etc.), but we need the color and piping of the mostrini, and the fregio, to know which branch they are assigned.
The second photo is a challenge. It is post 1GM. The individual is an officer and his rank is lieutenant (tenente based on the two thin stripes on his cap). The cap fregio is a key data point, but the cap chin strap is partially obscuring it. The only fregio I can find that matches is colonial cavalry, specifically the cavalry remount/depot. I base this identification on the straight-up flame, the center cross, and that the two hunting horns appear to be the same size and even in height (bersaglieri has a flame blowing to the wearer's left, only one horn and the bell and mouth piece are different sizes).
Of course, this fregio doesn’t normally appear with the collar insignia seen here. The mostrine appears to be the ‘two flame’ style. Two flames is normally alpini, bersaglieri or carristi. Cavalry normally has three flames. This style of collar (stand and fall) is often seen on bersaglieri uniforms during and after the war. Again the color of the mostrine would provide additional information. At this time, I can’t reconcile the fregio and mostrine.
The tunic appears to be a mod. 1926 or mod 1931 with some modifications. The tunic has enlisted style cuffs (pointed, not straight), but the buttons are not hidden like in a standard enlisted tunic. No visible pockets are a throw-back to the M1909, but are not unusual in the 20s. The crown on the left sleeve normally indicates a merit (battlefield) promotion as an enlisted man (the crown is missing the crossed swords seen on the officer’s version).
This is my best opinion at this time. I would certainly love to read other opinions.
Pista! JeffComment
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As a newbie here, I am totally impressed with the knowledge on display! It's funny: part of the reason why I wanted help with the uniforms is so I could colorize the b/w photo, but it sounds like for the two enlisted soldiers, the piping color is key to their branch. A nice Catch-22. For the officer, where would I find color images of that uniform?Comment
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Hallo dadurling
if you ever read this answer, or John G. of Mainemilitaria is still in contact with you, in my opinion:
1. enlisted Engineers'
2. WO of the Royal Finance Guard
About no. 2 if you will be able to send me his name, surname and birth's year, I will be able to identify him and maybe to send you his military documents.Comment
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... my 2 cents
hello Sirs ,
1st pic are two Pioneers for sure : might be " Pontieri " ( bridges ) or " Minatori " ( miners ) ... under the flame there's something which looks like a " cross " : anchors or hammers , bats IHMO
2nd pic is for sure a Regia Guardia di Finanza , but instead of a Second Lieutenant might be a Warrant Officer .
... just my 2 centsComment
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