Italy - Military equipment

Lotto: Uniform of an Officer of the Royal Italian Army - Giberna, Bandoliera, VEII Belt, Model 1907 Gauntlets and Beretta Milano Helmet-Box - WWI/WWII

Splendid and very rare homogeneous lot belonging to an officer of the Royal Italian Army, dating from the period between the First and the Second World War (the 1920s/1930s). The lot is exceptionally complete, kept together for over a century inside its original case.

The lot comprises:
1. Leather giberna in black with a sturdy perimeter metal edging in silvered metal. On the front stands out the large Sabauda Eagle in relief, surmounted by a royal crown and bearing the croized shield on the chest. Interior in black velvet with divider, hooks and original belt loops in excellent condition.
2. Shoulder strap bandolier in heavy brocade of gold thread with horizontal ridges, with the back lined in dark velvet. Complete with regulation carabiners and suspension hooks.
3. Sabre belt in gold brocade and velvet. Features a rich silver buckle with three elements decorated with palmettes and, on the side, the suspension plate with the precious golden Royal Monogram of King Vittorio Emanuele II (VE2) under a crown (a Risorgimento family tradition typical of WWI officers). Complete with chain and arrow fastener.
4. Dragonera (sabre knot) in gold metal wire with blue/black streaks and a lower tassel braided in closed fringe (rank of senior officer).
5. Pair of Model 1907 trench gauntlets in stiff darkened leather, shaped. Closure system with an internal slit and metal pin and original upper safety buckle. Inside is the sharp ink stamp of military acceptance “14” (referring to the year of production 1914 or the 14th Regiment).
6. Original oval helmet-case in pressed cardboard with a wood-faux finish, stamped on the lid by the prestigious supplier to the Royal Household "L. Beretta & C. Milano (Succ. a G. Citterio) - Roma, Torino, Napoli, Modena". The interior still retains its rare protective tissue paper from the era.

Conditions: Exceptional overall preservation for equipment that is over a century old. The leather is solid, the fabrics and velvets show no creasing or tears. Stunning natural patina of time and light authentic oxidation on the metal parts attesting to absolute originality. A museum-piece of very high historical coherence.