Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. Italy entered the Second World War with three armored divisions, the 131ª Divisione Corazzata ‘Centauro’, the 132ª Divisione Corazzata ‘Ariete’ and the 133ª Divisione Corazzata ‘Littorio’. An Armored Division was composed of an Armored Regiment with three Tank Battalions (55 tanks each), an Artillery Regiment, and a Bersaglieri Regiment.
After Mussolini was removed from power by voting to restore the powers of the Italian King, Mussolini was subsequently rescued and made head of the RSI by Germany, which then continued the fight against the Allies, as well as against Italian Partisans. To help combat this, the Italian Carbinieri police were disarmed, and the National Republican Guard (Guardia Nazonale Repubblicana, or GNR) created in its place. As part of this, an Armored Group "Leonessa" was formed, and utilized black uniforms and the Skull and Cross bones, just like their equivalents in the German Panzerkorps.
This is a very nice example of an Italian M35 Tanker helmet, with the Armored Group LEONESSSA badge attached to the front center, as is correct. The helmet itself is in really good overall condition with signs of minimal wear. All stitching is still tight on the black leather which is still tight to the fiber helmet. The rear leather skirt is still complete and free of damage as is the ear flaps and integrated chin strap and buckle. All ventilation screens are present and free of damage.
The interior of the helmet has clear manufacturing markings, which give the maker as S.I.M.A.V. in Naples, in the year 1943. There is also a clear size 55 stamp.
Comes more than ready for further research and display!
The Armored Group "M" "Leonessa" of G.N.R. (National Republican Guard / Guardia Nazonale Repubblicana) constituted an exception among the Armed Forces of the Italian Social Republic. In fact, it was the most consistent and operational of the few units equipped with armored vehicles, operating above all in the anti-partisan struggle. The "Leonessa" Group descended directly from the homonymous Tanks Group which, before the Armistice, was part of the 1st Armored Division "M" of the MVSN, consisting of personnel loyal to the Duce, renamed after July 25th 136th Armored Division "Centaur 2nd".
After the Italian surrender, all the material of the Division was confiscated by the Germans, including the Panzer III, the Panzer IV and the Stug.III of the "Lioness". But part of the Division's staff refused to fight against the former allies and, putting the red "M's" and the black shirt back in search of weapons and tanks in the now empty Italian barracks, to continue the war alongside the Germans.
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