Original Italian Pre-WWII Transitional MVSN Tunic with Fasces Buttons - Dated 1929
In stock
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Original Item. Only One Available. This is a scarce original Italian MVSN officer’s tunic dated 1929, displaying the rank insignia of a Capomanipolo, the MVSN grade officially corresponding to a Lieutenant in the Royal Italian Army. The tunic retains its deep open collar, three-button front, MVSN collar patches, brass fasces buttons, and interior acceptance markings, including M.V.S.N. and the date 1929.
The tunic has a distinctive early open-collar cut with a three-button front closure. The collar retains its MVSN gorget patches, while the front and other fittings retain the original brass buttons bearing the fasces emblem, an immediately recognizable feature of Fascist-era Milizia uniforms.
The MVSN, or Milizia Volontaria Sicurezza Nazionale was the armed muscle of the Italian Fascist Party. Often referred to as the Blackshirts, the MVSN was formed by Mussolini in 1922, the membership consisting mainly of former servicemen who could be relied upon to further the fascist cause. In the beginning the organisation was little more than a volunteer militia tasked with public security, but in the 1930s it took on a more military role. Like Germany's Waffen-SS, it became a fourth arm of the military, but despite the Royal Army's resentment was extended into the Army's order of battle in an attempt to instill a highly motivated political elite within formations.
Each cuff has a single silver tape bar with a diamond over it, which appears to be for the rank of Capomanipolo or Maniple Chief of the MVSN, equivalent to an Army Lieutenant. The shoulder straps are piped in black matching the MVSN gorget patches. The tunic retains all brass fasces buttons which give the uniform a great look. The interior lining is stamped:
ACC
42 1929
M.V.S.N.
ACC stands for Accettazione, or Acceptance, meaning the garment passed military inspection. 42 is likely the size, and 1929 is likely the date of inspection. The condition is overall great with an old stitch repair along the bottom edge, but this was very well cared-for and will make for an excellent display.
This example is particularly noteworthy for the combination of its 1929 date, MVSN acceptance stamp, Capomanipolo rank insignia, fasces buttons, and early open-collar construction. Together, these features document the uniform style and rank structure of the MVSN during the period when the organization was becoming fully institutionalized within the armed forces of the Kingdom of Italy.
Approximate Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 9"
Shoulder to sleeve: 21.5"
Shoulder to shoulder: 16.5"
Chest width: 18"
Waist: 16.5"
Hip: 20"
Front length: 27"
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