Italian gear

[NickG]

Thoughts on this Italian gear which I picked up in Europe last week, while traveling...

This early prewar infantry tunic comes with matching breeches. unit?
This material originally came from Australia so perhaps a vet bring back...

[NickG]

I realize the tunic lost its red edge piping on the early black collar...maybe removed to have less bling (for war time use)?

[NickG]

The great coat in the same rough wool material...but rank is different...
Came with Italian Sam Brown + holster!

[NickG]

Officer Bustina, again Infantry!
Not sure if the rank star corresponds correctly with the tunic or great coat...

[NickG]

The helmet that came with the group but no doubt unrelated and odd..
It comes with a leather plume holder.
General staff stenciling? I have a feeling its post war...
Thoughts?

[NickG]

Last image...the interior...
This is the only piece I have some doubts with (post war),
but it came pretty much for free with the lot based on the transaction value of the group!

[tankredi]

Nice stuff!

...except for the helmet which has been post ww2 repainted + rivets replaced.
The feathers holder is for Bersaglieri and does not belong on a general's helmet.

Pictures of the liner won't show?

[NickG]

Nice stuff!

...except for the helmet which has been post ww2 repainted + rivets replaced.
The feathers holder is for Bersaglieri and does not belong on a general's helmet.

Pictures of the liner won't show?

Thanks Tankredi! yes helmet has issues....thought so...OK as a filler I guess!

[tankredi]

Chinstrap is not right.
Liner looks like oil-cloth? Is the helmet made of steel or rather some lighter material like e.G. aluminum?

[NickG]

Ok much better pictures...helmet is steel, standard material and inside and outside paint matches...

[NickG]

More liner images

[NickG]

The chin strap details...
so upgraded private purchase for a General maybe? or post war? or repro?
All of it looks unworn except for the leather plume holder!

Did post war leather liners have tongs with holes using reenforcing metal grommets for the liner drawstring?
(not present here)

[tankredi]

Think the leather liner is Italian ww2. Typical orange color felt.
The absence of a visible rear seem occurred on Italian ww2 liners, however it's very rare.
The chinstrap is made of an Italian bundling strap.
To me all parts, except feathers holder, are ww2 era. But repainted and put together long after ww2.

[NickG]

Thanks for your expertise! It does all look rather fresh...but still 100% WW2 parts!
(except for the added plume holder!) Great!
So if its for a General... who nows? Not really in the trenches much! Looks fresh so redone or
perhaps just survived that way? The overall conditions do match...minty liner, minty paint/stencil etc...

Here the plume holder (it can come off!)..in not so fresh condition!

[PAOLORUBENS]

hello Nick

sidecap and uniform match , Major ... coat is lower rank Captain ( 3 stars )

sidecap is belonged to 16th Inf Rgt. Savona ... sounds correct considering Aussies fight in North Africa where 16th Rgt was dissolved Jan 17th 1942 due to war events ( aka destroyed ) .

side note ... 16th was my boot camp


Paolo