Italian gear

[Gil]

Sorry but I've some doubts about the cloth of the mod. 34 uniform and I don't like much the boards too.
Regards

[NickG]

Thanks for your opinion. I disagree...The M34 uniform is real. No doubts about that.
It even has wear areas and the inside liner is made from 5 different material, not counting the striped sleeve liners ...
So 6 total
Fakers would not do that! And a lot of handstitching, typical for period tailoring!

[NickG]

Besides that this lot originated from Australia, so no doubt a vet bring back...
This based on the unit identification (Opposing Australian forces) as member PAULORUBENS already pointed out.
and the tunic wool in color and structure exactly matches the breeches with the infantry branch side piping. A clear match!
Solid provenance.
The only oddity is the helmet...(+ the fact that the M34 tunic lacks the red collar piping....)

[PAOLORUBENS]

Besides that this lot originated from Australia, so no doubt a vet bring back...
This based on the unit identification (Opposing Australian forces) as member PAULORUBENS already pointed out.
and the tunic wool in color and structure exactly matches the breeches with the infantry branch side piping. A clear match!
Solid provenance.
The only oddity is the helmet...(+ the fact that the M34 tunic lacks the red collar piping....)

I've simply explained the meaning of #16 on the insignia and ranking ... I haven't enough knowledge to give an opinion regarding material and other aspects .
Paolo

[NickG]

Thanks. I checked with the previous owner and the plume holder was something that he found later and added...
So that's indeed Mountain related (Bersaglieri) and does not belong on the General staff or General's steel helmet!
Found to more images. Thank for looking!

[Semovente]

Hello NickG...nice bit of kit youve got there...imho..from the pics it all looks good...but i would be intetested in what/why Gil is concerned about it ?...but otherwise helmet aside..to me ok...

[tankredi]

... the plume holder was something that he found later and added...
So that's indeed Mountain related (Bersaglieri)...!

Bersaglieri are not mountain troops. They are light and fast infantry.

Alpini are mountain troops. But the feathers holder for Alpini is different and is fixed on the other side of the helmet.

[Zip3120]

I Nick
I like your uniform and side cap, they seem correct to me.

Unfortunately I don't like the helmet.
Chinstrap is fake, liner have a strange color and material, rivets are not correct for a WWII or prewar production. They are clearly postwar.
Please tell me how are made the pins used to fix the liner to the internal structure of the helmet?
War production have the two pointed blades, not rounded.

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

Nick we can see in war and prewar liner tongs with holes using reenforcing metal grommets for the liner drawstring!
Prewar and earlywar liners normally had holes reinfoced by a leather washer glued in the rear side, but already before the war some liners were modified by replacing the washer with a metal eyelet, in anodized or chromed iron.

The feathers holder probably is postwar... war production always had green gray rivet and button. Moreover it have missing its fixing screw, obviously the star is not correct.





Ciao
Marco

[Gil]

Well Nick, all possible.... for me is strange an M 34 for officer in troop wool.
I think that type of uniform in pre war years was in only "cordellino" cloth (like the cap-bustina). I seen officers uniforms in troop cloth only in mod. 40 (when the war was beginned).
Ciao

[Zip3120]

Well Nick, all possible.... for me is strange an M 34 for officer in troop wool.
I think that type of uniform in pre war years was in only "cordellino" cloth (like the cap-bustina). I seen officers uniforms in troop cloth only in mod. 40 (when the war was beginned).
Ciao

Yes Gil
I absolutely agree with you, but I wonder why a faker should use a rarer troop cloth to make an officer uniform?

[Gil]

Yes Gil
I absolutely agree with you, but I wonder why a faker should use a rarer troop cloth to make an officer uniform?

Of course a faker doesn't use original cloth...now exist replica cloth for reenactors.
I think that an M 34 in wool troop cloth is quite rare.

[NickG]

Yes light inf. not mountain. Mix up!
OK so we have the following conclusions:
-Plume holder definitely post war (star is for the collar!). That all goes off!
-Overcoat + Sam Brown are fine
-M34 uniform is rare as its manufactured in a rougher (rare enlisted) grade wool for some reason. Probably a personal choice as it would be a warmer garment in that course grade wool material)
-Helmet mixed reactions, could be OK, could be post war refurb. Non metal eyelets are fine for leather tongues and chinstrap made of bundling straps grade leather or fake...
and the rivets are probably not correct for a WWII, which would indicate a refurb!
Thanks guys! learned a lot.

[NickG]

Nick we can see in war and prewar liner tongs with holes using reenforcing metal grommets for the liner drawstring!
Prewar and earlywar liners normally had holes reinfoced by a leather washer glued in the rear side, but already before the war some liners were modified by replacing the washer with a metal eyelet, in anodized or chromed iron.

Ciao
Marco

Here you go! More inside views!

[NickG]

All the aluminum (bands, buckles etc) are painted green...

[NickG]

Felt...