Original Item: Only One Available. The Guardia di Finanza (G. di F. or GdF) is an Italian law enforcement agency under the authority of the Minister of Economy and Finance. It is a militarized police force, forming a part of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, not the Ministry of Defense. Guardia di Finanza is essentially responsible for dealing with financial crime and smuggling; it has also evolved into Italy's primary agency for suppressing the illegal drug trade. It maintains over 600 boats and ships and more than 100 aircraft to serve in its mission of patrolling Italy's territorial waters. They also have the rule of border police and customs duties at Italian airports.

By Royal Decree dated July 14, 1907, the Corps was issued 5-point star uniforms to mark its military status, even though the Army's military discipline regulation was extended to the Financial Guard by Law dated July 12, 1908. The Corps served in the two World Wars and in the War of National Liberation, deserving 18 awards to its War Flag, which had been granted in 1914 to decree the total integration among the Italian Armed Forces.

Subsequently, the Corps took part in numerous rescue operations during serious natural disasters; for this commitment the Corps was decorated with 13 additional civil valor awards.

The reorganization of the police forces in 1919 also affected the Royal Guardia di Finanza. The responsibilities were divided between the Inspector General, who was an Army Officer with the rank of Lieutenant General responsible for military preparation, and the Commanding General, who was a Financial Guard Officer subordinate to the former, but authorized to maintain direct relations with the Minister for ordinary institutional duties and for personnel management. In 1923, the "Investigative Tax Police" was set up as a specialized branch of the Royal Financial Guard. Within a few years, its naval fleet, motor-vehicles and telecommunication structure underwent a complete change; the Statistical Service equipped with a data processing center, the Air Service and the Canine Service (for anti-drugs checks) were set up. During the same years, the Corps’ general organization was defined pursuant to Law no. 189 dated April 23, 1959, which laid down its institutional tasks, subsequently amended by specific sector provisions assigning certain responsibilities.

This is an absolutely gorgeous and quite rare white summer visor cap for a Fascist Italian finance officer. The front eagle badge is a thick gold bullion weave that is shockingly rich and deep. This is amazing work with maroon backing indicates the wearer was attached to the Finance Ministry. The white top has some soiling due to age but still in great shape.

The interior of the cap has a supple leather sweatband, perfect stitching and a clean sweatband undamaged both inside and out. There is no size label but it is roughly a size 56.

Really a terrific hat would fit into the most advanced Fascist collection. Also features a cloth maker label that reads:

FRANCESCO
DIAMBRINI
FANO
VIA GIOVANNI da SERRAVALLE, 6-8

The visor comes more than ready for further research and display!