Black Shirts Fascists Side Cap 1943

Black Shirts Fascists Side Cap Pre. 1943 - Fabricated from black wool, gold wire bullion fasces insignia on the front, traditional high bush side wall, multi-fringed skirt attached to the top, unmarked, unlined, moth holes and fabric interruption evident, near very fine.  Footnote: The MVSN (Milizia Volontaria per la Sicurezza Nazionale = Volunteer Army for National Security) was the Fascist Militia formed soon after Mussolini's rise to power in 1923 (somewhat equivilant to the NSDAP SturmAbeitelung in Germany). It was the Fascist party enforcement arm, with its primary function being political control and police duties. Its military function was the organization of Black Shirt battalions fro service within each division of the Royal Army. The MVSN were distinguished by their uniform in several ways. The "fascio" insignia was used on the hat and the collar tabs. A black shirt uniform was worn, except usually not in combat. The Black Shirts (Squadracce Nere, also known as the Squadristi) served in independent groups or as assault battalions attached to the regular army divisions. There was some resistance to incorporating the Black Shirts into the regular army and II Duce (Mussolini) had to issue an order requiring it in 1941. Two Black Shirt battalions were organized for each of the 133 MVSN legions. The fez was originally an ancient headwear piece used by various elite forces within Europe. Mussolini brought it back and it was his choice always for his own uniform.