Original WWII Italian M33 Helmet Painted with Replicated Decima Flottiglia MAS Insignia - Stamped P112
In stock
-
Original Item. Only One Available. The Decima Flottiglia MAS (Decima Flottiglia Motoscafi Armati Siluranti, also known as La Decima or Xª MAS) (Italian for "10th Torpedo-Armed Motorboat Flotilla") was an Italian flotilla, with marines and commando frogman unit, of the Regia Marina (Royal Italian Navy). The acronym MAS also refers to various light torpedo boats used by the Regia Marina during World War I and World War II.
Some Xª MAS men who were in German-occupied Italy remained part of the Axis forces, joining the Italian Social Republic under the command of Captain Borghese. His reputation and that of the Xª MAS enabled him to negotiate an agreement with the German forces that gave the Xª MAS significant autonomy, allowed them to fight under an Italian flag (under the command of the Germans), and not to be employed against other Italians. Borghese was recognized as the leader of the corps.
This is an interesting well-worn Italian M33 helmet which was painted to one side with the insignia of the Decima Flottiglia MAS.
The main themes in the Xª MAS's ideology became "honour" in defending Italy from the "betrayal" of the armistice with the Allies and a call to defend the territorial integrity of Italy against the Allies. The corps had its own weekly magazine, L'orizzonte ("The Horizon"), in which authors such as Giovanni Preziosi wrote articles about Jewish conspiracies. The magazine had problems in its distribution, as it was thought that Borghese's popularity among the Fascist hardliners might reduce Mussolini's influence.
The painted insignia appears on top of previous paint loss, so this looks to have been painted by a collector some time after the war. Still, it will look great as a representative example.
As these were still in production well after the war, it should be noted that after the war, design changes were made that make it possible to identify an example made in WWII or prior. The characteristics only found on these earlier helmets are:
- Gray - Green Paint (Post War are OD Green)
- Z-stitch (torn) in rear of liner.
- Dark Leather liner with Orange felt padding (post war has yellow leather and felt)
- Liner Chinstrap Mounting Ring is Rectangular (post war was trapezoidal)
- Small vent holes with flattened tops
The liner is perforated with the size, 59, and has a stamped maker’s mark for A. Sinigagles of Torino. The chinstrap is absent and as shown the liner is heavily tearing in many places.
The rear rim is stamped P112.
A nice example of the Italian M33 helmet from WWII, ready to display!
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
We Buy Military Antiques
Our team expert buyers travels the world to pay fair prices for entire estate collections to singular items.
START SELLING TODAY
