Original Item: Only One Available. The "Bustina" field cap was originally introduced in 1933 and was worn by both Army and Fascist militia personnel, with minor variations.

This gorgeous black silk field cap features fold down side panels that are held together over the crown of the cap by hidden stitches. The snaps for the flaps are intact but the stitching is rather weak, so be careful when removing them. The front visor is in the upright position. To the front is a bullion fascist wheat symbol which has retained much of its color but does have thread loss present.

The interior is fully lined in a rayon/silk with a retained wide leather sweatband. Size is approximately US 7 (56cm). This is the first silk bustina we have ever offered.

A lovely example ready for further research and display.

The Milizia Volontaria per la Sicurezza NSDAPonale (MVSN, "Voluntary Militia for National Security"), commonly called the Blackshirts (Italian: Camicie Nere, CCNN, singular: Camicia Nera) or squadristi (singular: squadrista), was originally the paramilitary wing of the National Fascist Party, known as the Squadrismo, and after 1923 an all-volunteer militia of the Kingdom of Italy under Fascist rule, similar to the SA in NSDAP Germany. Its members were distinguished by their black uniforms (modelled on those of the Arditi, Italy's elite troops of World War I) and their loyalty to Benito Mussolini, the Duce (leader) of Fascism, to whom they swore an oath. The founders of the paramilitary groups were nationalist intellectuals, former army officers and young landowners opposing peasants' and country labourers' unions. Their methods became harsher as Mussolini's power grew, and they used violence and intimidation against Mussolini's opponents. In 1943, following the fall of the Fascist regime, the MVSN was integrated into the Royal Italian Army and disbanded.