Spain, Facist State. A Falange Officer's Uniform, c.1940

Includes three pieces: Tunic, Belt and Beret: 1. Tunic: exterior fabricated from black wool, with shoulder straps secured in place on both shoulders by brass-coloured buttons bearing the Falange insignia. The front has four large pockets, one on each breast which have decorative straps giving them a pleated-look, the other two at the waist are without pleats and are larger and deeper than the breast pockets. The left breast pocket has a large Falange insignia embroidered in red on the decorative strap. All four pockets have fold over button down flaps with reinforced button holes, the breast pockets with small brass-coloured buttons, both pockets at the waist with large silvered buttons, each of which bears the Falange insignia. Both breast pockets house an additional large button bearing the Falange insignia, the left breast pocket also housing a red tassel with knot. The front is completed by four large silvered buttons on the right side, each bearing the Falange insignia, facing four reinforced button holes on the left side. Only the third button is maker marked on the reverse "FABRICACION NACIONAL" on its reverse, the other buttons on the uniform are unmarked. There are two belt loop straps sewn in place along the waist at the rear, each of which is held up by a small black plastic button, while the rear of the tunic is single-vented. Both sleeves have a small black plastic button sewn in place just above the cuff. The interior is lined in black rayon, with a side-entry pocket placed on the left side breast just inside the opening, the pocket with an embroidered tailor's label inscribed "Muñoz CASTAÑOS, de ALICANTE" sewn in place. The sleeves are lined in white cotton and are designed with a pattern of repeating navy blue rules. The tunic measures 42 cm across the shoulders x 67 cm in length, exhibiting light soiling overall, along with discolouration in the armpits); 2. Falange Belt (buckle in silvered die-stamped metal on the right end of the belt, magnetic, bearing the Falange insignia, with an intact loop and tab on the reverse, maker marked "CASA AMILIBIA DEUSTO" on the tab, exhibiting contact marks from active use, the buckle measuring 5 cm (w) x 5.95 cm (h), the belt itself with the upper incorporating a smooth black finish, with a raw underside, brass receiving clip in place on the left end, the leather exhibiting undulation, with light crazing overall on the upper, along with soiling on the reverse at the receiving clip end, the belt measuring 4.8 cm wide x 103.5 cm in length); 3. Beret (exterior in red wool, with a red wool spike placed in the centre, elasticized at the opening, interior lined in emerald green rayon, maker marked "BOINA EXPOSICIÓN / Casa YUSTAS / 3- PLAZA MAYOR - 30 / MADRID" in yellow ink in the dome, measuring 21 cm (w) x 22.5 cm (h)). Very fine.