Italian Made SS Sleeve Shield

[Paul Carter]

I picked up a interesting Italian made SS sleeve shield in a older collection. It was purchased from Frank Thayer shortly after his article on the Italian SS in the Fall 96' issue of The Military Advisor. I am interested in selling it, but would like some feedback from others who have encountered similar pieces. My understanding is that it is was made in Italy and most likely in small numbers by a local person or persons. It was hand embroidered in black thread on green wool tricot backing.

[Paul Carter]

2

[Robin Lumsden]

Paul.

There's a similar one in the Italian section of David Littlejohn's 4-volume 'Foreign Legions of the III Reich'.

[Jay V.]

Hi Robin
I to am curious on this item,do you consider it to be a period piece item? Thanks Jay

[Barzini]

Sorry to interfere, but this pattern of shield is not considered wartime made by the collectors who studied deeply the insignia of the Italian Legion

Cheers

[Dennis S]

I don't think these badges were worn by the Italiane SS Legione at all, but I don't dismiss them all as total fantasy out of hand . These need deeper investigation.
These "types" of shields could be unofficial and have some link to one of the many autominous units during the RSI such as "1st Battalione Benito Mussolini" or others that had some conection to the German SS or Police. The embroidery does look Italian ,but I am not sure of that backing material. Is it Italian ribbed gaberdine?? Another use could be a veteren piece worn after the war by the many RSI veteren groups in Italy.
These type of shields reminds me of the difference in construction of the swastika over the Fasces patches that are no doudt original and many brought back by vets, but have no photgraphic evidence showing them in wear. Some say they are translator patches and other say they are commemorative items made for the Rome -Berlin Pact of Steele.

[afrikasandman]

I like how the embroidery looks, i wouldn't mine having one of these in my collection. Matt