Original Item. Only One Available. This is a very fine private purchase Model 1926 peaked cap for a junior officer of the Royal Italian Army’s mounted artillery. The cap retains its elaborate bullion branch insignia, single bullion rank band, wide leather chinstrap, artillery buttons, black leather visor, yellow silk lining, leather sweatband, and Unione Militare maker’s mark. It is also an unusually large example, measuring approximately a modern size 7½ to 7⅝.

The Model 1926 officer’s peaked cap was introduced as part of the interwar uniform regulations of the Regio Esercito. Its tall, rigid profile and elaborate bullion insignia created a particularly formal appearance characteristic of Italian officer headgear during the late 1920s and early 1930s.

The front bears an embroidered bullion artillery insignia consisting of a flaming bomb above crossed cannon barrels in front of crossed swords. This denotes wear by an officer of the Italian Horse Artillery.

The crossed swords distinguish the badge as associated with mounted, or horse, artillery rather than standard field artillery.

A single row of bullion trim encircles the cap. This is identified with the junior officer rank of Sottotenente. The Italian rank of Sottotenente is equivalent to Second Lieutenant.

The wide black leather chinstrap remains in good condition and is secured at each side by a brass artillery button. The cap retains its tall, rigid shape without significant collapse or distortion. The black leather visor remains in good condition. Its edge trim is complete without major loss. The cap is notably large for surviving Italian officer headgear. Its approximate modern size is 7½ to 7⅝.

The interior is lined with yellow silk, which remains well retained and gives the cap the high quality finish expected of a private purchase officer’s example. The leather sweatband remains in place without any serious loss of stitching.

A small celluloid sweat shield is stitched at the crown. It bears the maker’s emblem, consisting of an eagle holding a fasces beneath a star, above the name:

UNIONE MILITARE

Unione Militare was a prominent Italian military outfitter and cooperative supplier of uniforms, headgear, and officer’s equipment.

The maker’s mark, high quality bullion insignia, silk lining, and well formed body are all consistent with a privately purchased officer’s cap rather than a basic issue example.

The Model 1926 cap had a relatively brief interwar period of regulation use before later uniform changes introduced new officer headgear during the 1930s. This limited period, combined with the fragile nature of its tall construction and silk interior, makes well preserved examples difficult to locate.

The mounted artillery badge, Sottotenente rank band, complete leather chinstrap, and complete lining preserve the principal features of this Royal Italian Army officer’s cap. Its excellent retained shape and complete interior make it particularly relevant to collections focused on Italian horse artillery, interwar officer uniforms, the Regio Esercito, or high quality private purchase military headgear.