Uniform

Below is a work in progress, please bear with us!

The Uniform and Kit is broken down into three sections.  Legionaries should develop their impression in this order.

• Primary/European Combat Uniform
• Parade Variation
• Tropical Combat Uniform

Nothing is so important for a reenactor than his uniform.  The uniform must be as close to representing the original as possible for maximum authenticity.  To do otherwise would be to do a disservice to those who want to learn about the Italian army and do a disservice to the organization itself by looking shabby.  In «Montebello» all articles are as close to original as humanly possible, or, in some cases where reproductions cannot be had, articles are original.

Assembling a proper blackshirt uniform will take some time.  Patience is a virtue which must be cultivated when acquiring any outfit for reenactment!  And when in doubt, do without.  Avoid "filling the holes" with German equipment or "battlefield pick ups" as some reenactors are wont to do.  Always consult the group before making a purchase, as experienced reenactors may be able to help you avoid "farby" items (inaccurate things) or save you money and aggravation in other ways.  That being said, the following should serve as a guide as to what our research has to-date-determined that the 30ª Legione looked like ca. 1942.

	Elmetto M33 Steel helmet painted grey-green.  The front should have an MVSN assault stencil in black.  The chin straps are also to be leather.  Post-war khaki webbing straps need to be replaced.  These helmets were sized in centimeters punched into the liner.
	Fez di Camicia Nera It is the fatigue cap worn in lieu of a bustina: a simple wool fez with a thick black yarn tassel.  The fez was worn by the Bersaglieri in imitation of the Zouave style of the 19th Century.  In World War One, the Arditi assault troops wore a fez as well but black.  This was retained by the squadristi, the early Fascists "action squads", many of whom were former Arditi soldiers.
	Camicia Nera Black cotton shirt, the symbol of the Fascist Revolution.  This was worn in all orders of dress.
	Giubba M40 The same as the Royal Army pattern uniform, though without "hunter pockets" in the rear.  It is a sturdy wool garment with patch pockets, shoulder straps, and a cloth belt.  Enlisted men wore three-button single breasted giubbe, officers wore a very similar pattern but with four buttons.
	Mostrini di Battaglione "M" Each division and specialized troops wore specific collar insignia for identification.  Royal units wore Savoy stars while Fascist units wore the fasces.  "M" Battalions had a stylized letter "M" in il Duce's handwriting with a fasces entwined.  The "M" either stood for "Mussolini" or "Morte" depending on one's interpretation.
	Pantaloni M40 Made from the same wool material as the giubba, the pantaloni are cut very full in the leg and are worn like breeches with puttees.  A narrow belt would secure the top.  Earlier MVSN pantaloni had a narrow black stripe down the side but this was abolished during the Second World War, making them the same as their Royal Army counterparts.
	Cravatta Nera Plain black cotton tie worn with the black shirt.
	Maglione Nero In colder weather, knit wool sweaters were often worn.  For MVSN, these would be black while Royal Army had grey-green.  Many of these sweaters were home-made so variations exist, but generally rolled collars or half-turtlenecks were preferred.  Some sweaters had three buttons along the left shoulder when taking it on or off.
	Mollettiere in Grigio-Verde The puttees were woollen strips of cloth wound around the leg, terminating just below the knee.  This was to protect the shins and calves.  Often the sock was pulled up and down over the shoe, making a break between the puttee and the boot.  Occasionally, black puttees were worn by MVSN soldiers, though not frequently during wartime.
	Calzini dell'Esercito Off-white wool army socks.
	Scarpe M12 The Italian army boot was made of leather with leather soles and hobnails.  MVSN legionaries tended to wear a black version on the European continent while brown was preferred for Africa.  This was not always the case, however.
	Cinturini The legionary's equipment was suspended on a grey-green leather belt around the waist and the ammuniton pouches further supported by a strap which went over the neck.
	Giberna Two ammunition pockets carried the legionary's ammunition.  These pouches were worn on the front, over the stomach.
	Sacco di Maschera Antigas The M33 and M35 were gas masks issued to Italian forces.  Often times the gas mask itself was discarded and the bag was used to carry the soldier's possessions.
	Telo Mimetico M29 Italy was the first country to issue its armed forces camouflaged ponchos.  Every soldier and legionary carried one to be used as a rain poncho or to be used as a shelter half with three interconnecting poles.
	Tascapane The haversack was an olive-colored cotton pouch for holding rations.
	Coperta The blanket was a thick, scratchy wool that was carried fixed to the knapsack.
	Gavetta Italian mess tins were made of aluminum and had a thick wire handle.  The lid could be taken off and used as a small pan.  Inside was a cup along with a fork and spoon.  Wartime mess tins had two loops on the outside for securing within the knapsack.
	Borraccia The canteen held one liter (2 liters for Alpini) and was covered in grey-green wool.  The post-war versions had a cup which should be removed.  It was suspended on a webbing strap and hung on the right side.
	Zaino The military knapsack had two shoulder straps and was where the legionary would store his extra clothes, personal items, his mess tin, telo mimetico, tent poles, blanket, and other effects.
	Pugnale di Combattimento Legionaries of the MVSN were issued combat knives, another carry-over from the days of the Arditi who would storm the trenches with daggers, pistols, and hand grenades.
	Baionetta Shown here for the Carcano M1891 with bayonet frog.  The bayonet was worn on the cinturino.
	Carcano Fucile di Fanteria M1891, M91/41 This is the preferred rifle for the 30ª CC.NN «Montebello» group.  These were 6.5mm bolt action rifles, considered a very good weapon in the hands of a trained soldier.  The bayonet fixed to the end of this long rifle made a most intimidating appearance.
	Carcano Fucile di Fanteria M91/38 This is the second-most preferred rifle for the 30ª CC.NN «Montebello» group.  The Carcano was modified in 1938 to accept a 7.35mm round instead of the 6.5mm.  The 38 also had a fixed rear sight and accepted a smaller bayonet than the M1891.
	Breda Bomba a Mano The British called the Italian hand grenades "Red Devils" because the impact-exploding variety often did not go off when thrown and was as dangerous sitting on the ground as it was when hurled.  Several varieties of grenade were developed from anti-personnel to anti-armor.   More information on Italian grenades can be found here.
	Beretta Mod. 1934 This was the pistol carried by senior NCOs and officers in the Italian armed forces.  9mm with a magazine capacity of seven rounds.  Small and sleek, this pistol was very popular with the Germans and the Allies who picked them up on the battlefield.
	Moschetto Automatico Beretta 38A The sub-machine gun was employed by Italian special forces and its use was widespread towards the end of the Second War World.  The Germans also used the MAB because it was an excellent weapon.  The air-cooled barrels could also accommodate a folding bayonet.  Legal demilled/dummy versions are great for displays.
	Fucile Mitragliatore Breda Modello 30 The Breda 30 was an awkward light machine gun.  Some of its main deficiencies were a low magazine capacity and time consuming loading process.
	Fucile Mitragliatore Breda Modello 37 The Breda 37 heavy machine gun was an improved variant of the 30 and widely used.  It still had a fairly small magazine capacity, however, but was a considerable step up from its predecessor.