Original Item: Only One Available. The Royal Army was the regular army that originated before Mussolini came to power. Unlike the German army's uniform, the gray-green uniform adopted in 1909 remained unaltered due to the political changes. Many improvements and changes were made to make it more comfortable, especially in the tropical climate of North Africa.

In 1933 a new uniform was adopted, the Baistrocchi, that replaced the high collar WW1-era tunic with an open collar, worn with a shirt and tie. The bustina (a soft cap with front bill folded up) began to replace the old kepi and the peaked visor cap in the field. In 1935, a new type of helmet was introduced to replace the French Adrian helmet. It remained in use throughout WW2 and even into the post-War years. Alpini (alpine) and Bersaglieri (light infantry) troops were elite units; the Alpini wore a special peaked cap and the Bersaglieri wore a wide-brimmed, black hat with a cluster of feathers. They also displayed the feathers in their steel helmets and tropical helmets.

The uniform changed in 1939 to eliminate the epaulet rank insignia and moved the rank insignia to the sleeves. Each division and branch wore a unique colored collar patch. However, all collar patches had a small 5-pointed star attached which signified the unity of Italy. [The MVSN wore a fascio emblem instead (or fasces)]. Sometimes the colored branch "flame" tab for artillery, cavalry, etc. was worn on top of the divisional collar tab. In 1940, NCOs and Officers wore tailor-made tunics made of fine gabardine, known as cardellino.

This is a lovely and genuine WWII Italian peaked visor cap with a great bullion insignia indicating Medical Corps issue. Offered in very good condition but does have some moth damage. Leather chinstrap and visor complete, no size tag visible and features an ink maker mark that reads:

ROSI ENZO
Via Borgo S. Lorenzo. 3 p. P.
F I R E N Z E

Comes more than ready for further research and display!