Original Item: Only One Available. The M33 Helmet (Elmetto Mod. 33 in Italian) is a steel combat helmet designed in the 1930s in Italy, and was the standard combat helmet of the Regio Esercito up to World War II, and of the Esercito Italiano well into the Cold War. Designed by Nicola Leszl for the Mussolini Government, these have become extremely hard to find on the collectors market today, especially WWII examples that have not been refurbished.

This example is painted to the front with a lightning stencil, which is very similar to those we have seen used by MVSN Militia, namely the Voluntary Militia for Homeland Security. This symbol placed over a fasces was used by the 63a Legion CC.NN. assault "Tagliamento". However, this symbol is also known to have been painted on helmets of the RSI, the Italian Social Republic. The RSI was a German puppet state and fascist rump state with limited diplomatic recognition that was created during the latter part of World War II. It was a collaborationist regime in German-occupied Italy, established after the German invasion of Italy in September 1943 and disbanded with the surrender of Axis troops in Italy in May 1945.

The shell itself has heavy oxidation spotting across the finish. The interior shows that the leather liner is intact and in very worn shape, with the correct Z-stitch to the rear and the proper rectangular chinstrap bales, although they show heavy oxidation. The leather chinstrap is still intact and is worn with some crazing. There is perforation in the liner for the size, 57. The rear of the shell is stamped P5, and there is a stress crack in the shell at this spot.

A great MVCN or RSI M33 helmet, ready for display.

The Voluntary Militia for National Security, commonly called the Blackshirts or squadristi, 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. 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.