ITALIAN WWI ROYAL ITALIAN ARMY MODEL 1909 ENLISTED MANS GREY GREEN TUNIC.

The rank insignia is for a Corporal of the 25th and 26th Brigade Bergamo. Out of all the major combatants of WWI Great Britain, France, Germany, Austria, Turkey, Italy and Russia, undoubtedly the most difficult of uniforms to obtain are the Russian, closely followed by Italian. This is probably the first time we have ever had an Italian enlisted mans or nco field worn combat tunic. Overall superb condition, no moth or damage, very nice clear makers stamp to the brushed cotton lining of ‘A Cereda & Company Milano’ with the size stamp printed in black ink above the makers stamp. Blue and red collar patches of the Bergamo Brigade with Army metal stars. A black rank insignia with inverted V chevron of a Corporal on both cuffs. On the right sleeve a diagonal silver wound stripe, on the left breast the Italian tricolour indicating one year war service during WWI. No moth damage to the tunic, there is distress t the surface of the corporal’s rank braid and the regimental lace on the collar otherwise the tunic is in magnificent condition. The Bergamo Brigade fought in 1915 and 1916 in the Isonzo River heavy battles where it lost approximately 3,500 men. After the Austro German attack on Caporetto in 1917 the brigade retreated to the Piave River where it was nearly destroyed. A very rare tunic from a unit with interesting WWI combat battle experience and we thank our very dear serious Italian collector and author friend Furio Lazzarini for help in the description of this tunic.

Code: 85646