Original Italian WWII Africa 11th MVSN Black Shirts White-Painted Pith Helmet - Size 57

Original Item. Only One Available. This is an interesting British-style pith helmet used by a member of the 11th MVSN Black Shirts in Africa during World War II. The helmet was painted white with a badge for the 11th MVSN attached to the front. The original thin and fragile cloth chinstrap is intact and stretched over the front brim.

While it is hard not to see that the Italian Model 1928 helmet was at least highly influenced by the British Wolseley helmet, the Italian military also seemed taken by the Anglo-Indian Cawnpore helmet. This particular topee, which is noted for its chinstrap stretching over the crown, was first popular as a civilian helmet, but soon found its way to the military as a private purchase item.

The interior shows the green fabric lining with a size stamp in ink, 57. The original sweatband liner is retained but is very fragile. There is no maker’s mark we could find. From the construction, this example could possibly be a captured British helmet used by a blackshirt.

An interesting Italian pith, ready for further research and display.