Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. World War Two Italian Regio Esercito (Royal Army) General of the Brigade uniform. The uniform is a Model 1934, in excellent condition: detailed bullion wire rank sleeve insignia, epaulets with silver embroidered Savoy Eagle, silver General Officer buttons. The General was well decorated with 4 ribbon bars (15 decorations total). The uniform is made with a high quality gabardine in "grigioverde". Also included is a beautiful peaked cap, service shirt, Sam Browne style cross belt and knit tie.
The uniform came to us from the American Armoured Foundation, Inc. Tank and Ordnance Memorial Museum. The AAF Tank Museum was a living memorial dedicated to the Tank and Cavalry soldiers of the world. Before 1981 some of the artifacts that make up the AAF Tank Museum was a private collection belonging to Mr. William Gasser. Mr. Gasser felt that his collection would be beneficial in educating present and future generations to the sacrifices made and the technologies gained during war. Therefore, in 1981 the AAF Tank Museum was established as a non-profit charitable organization, and Mr. Gasser's donated his private collection to the Tank Museum. Mr. Gasser is still active as Volunteer Director and Curator of the Tank Museum and his knowledge of military history has been a great asset to the museum. Unfortunately after 20 years of operation it had to close its doors, which is when this uniform was acquired.
The uniform came to us with the knowledge that it once belonged to General of Brigade Alfonso Morretti. Aside from word of mouth, there are no markings on this uniform though one will be able to trace the awards and narrow it down.
The uniform came to us with a printed out description of service and the contents of the grouping from the museum. The letter is as follows:
1930's PERIOD, ITALIAN ARMY, CAVALRY (?), SERVICE DRESS UNIFORM, BELONGING TO GENERAL OF BRIGADE ALPHONSO MORRETTI
This service dress uniform is of the 1930's period. It is an Italian Army, Service Dress uniform. It is known that this uniform grouping belonged to a General of Brigade (ie a Brigadier General), named Alphonso Morretti. General Morretti was born in Naples in 1892. He served for 4 years on the Italian / Austrian Front from 1915 to 1918. He was wounded in combat at that time. He went on to become a Brigadier General in 1938. It is believed that Morretti served in Ethiopia, Libya, and possibly in the Sudan. General Morretti is also believed to have commanded a Motorized Regiment, and then a Motorized Brigade. He surrendered to the Germans in Yugoslavia in 1943, and was sent home. It was at that time he retired. Morretti died in Naples in 1958. This uniform grouping belonging to Morretti includes his matching general's trousers, commercial shirt, a tie, a "Sam Brown" style leather belt, and his general's peaked cap.
Unfortunately the trousers weren’t received with the uniform set but finding a replacement pair should be easy. The overall condition of the set is just wonderful. Aside from very minor areas of mothing on the uniform and light staining to the ribbons, this uniform displays very well, especially when combined with the included museum sign! The peaked cap has a UNIONE MILITARE ROMA printed label on the top of the mustard yellow polished cotton lining. The sweatband is still present with a great worn color but is unfortunately detached in multiple areas with very fragile thread holding the rest on, so use caution when handling. The bullion embroidered Savoy eagle is still bright and beautiful.
This is a wonderful example of an Italian Brigadier General’s uniform, attributed and ready for further research. Comes ready to display.
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