My Italian Collection

[Gordon Craig]

Gentlemen,

I have too many uniforms and I need to thin things out so I thought that I would post my Italian items here before disposing of them. Some of them I have researched and I would welcome your comments on what I have said about each uniform. I haven't looked at most of these uniforms for years as they have been in storage. Any suggestions you can give me on fair, current prices would be very much appreciated.

Regards,

Gordon

1 - WWII - RSI Alpini Teniente- 1940 rough wool war time tunic. RSI collar insignia on Alpini flames. Smooth plastic buttons with Italia on the back in small letters. War time Sottotenente (Lieutenant) rank insignia on false cuff of both sleeves. Makers label at neck;
Unione Militaire Sede di -next markings are hand written and not completely legible to me - looks like “Aetl? B???;
SIG hand writing not legible (name of owner)
No. 6135 Data 8-2-941
Small white label with letter “B”sewn inside left side opening of tunic.

[Gordon Craig]

1a

[Gordon Craig]

2 - WWII - Alpini enlisted man’s cape. Brass hook and eye closer at neck. Lion headed chain holders across the neck of the cape. Label with hand written name “ROSSO” sewn in at back of neck. The numerals 1 and 3/6/8 are stamped in black below the name label. I can not be sure of the lower number as it is difficult to tell exactly what it is.

[Gordon Craig]

2a,

[Gordon Craig]

3 - WWII 1940 war time wool uniform of a Generale designato d’armata (Lt Gen.) Tunic and breeches. War time style rank insignia on false cuffs of both sleeves. Plastic buttons with Italia in small lettering on the back. Buttons that do up the tunic are loose but still attached with what appears to be original sewing. Brass star on each lapel for pre 1943 wear. Two gold “wounded in combat” stripes on right sleeve. Embroidered gold bullion shield on left sleeve indicating service with the ARDITI in WWI.. This badge is not sewn through the sleeve lining. Four rows of award ribbons. Red backed crown and swords above ribbon bar indicates promotion in combat. Manufacturers label an back of neck “Unione Nationale”. There is no makers label in the breeches but the size adjusting strap at the back of the waist says “Union Militare”. All the buttons on the breeches are present and are all marked “Union Militare”. All insignia appears to be original to this uniform

[Gordon Craig]

3a

[Gordon Craig]

3b

[Gordon Craig]

3c

[Raffaello Carola]

Hello Gordon,

nice uniforms thanks for sharing the Lt Gen. uniform
is stunning!
cheers
Raffaello

[Gordon Craig]

4 - WWII 1940 war time private purchase tunic for a medical doctor assigned to an Alpini unit. The material in this tunic is of a much higher quality than usually found in the 1940 tunics. Tailors label at collar “D. Moroui Roma. The pocket flaps are straight across rather than pointed as in most tunics. The buttons are made of plastic and have ITALIA in small letters on the back. All buttons are originally sewn. The ribbon bar shows ribbons for Medaglie Valore Militare in bronze; War Merit Cross; and Guerra Italo-turca 1911 LIBIA; Guerra 1940-43 with 2 silver stars for two years service. The sleeves show the rank of Tenente in gold bullion as used before the war. On the left breast pocket flap is the unofficial badge for the Ethiopian campaign

[Gordon Craig]

4a

[Gordon Craig]

4b

[Gordon Craig]

5 - Pre WWII M1937 tunic which was worn concurrently with the M1940 war time tunic. Tailors tag at neck “Unione Militare. Gold colour infantry buttons. Collar tab colours indicate the 3rd Infantry Division RAVENA - composed of infantry regiments 37 and 38. The shoulder straps have the infantry symbol but the regimental number has worn off both straps. The left sleeve shows the fading where the regimental shield was at one time. These were ordered removed in ?. A picture of the 3rd division shield is shown below.

[Gordon Craig]

5a

[Gordon Craig]

5c