Is This A Shoulder Board?

[dirtfisherrob]

Hello to everyone, new here. I'm trying to identify this recent pick up. I found one on ebay listed as a WW2 shoulder board but the seller doesn't seem too sure himself. Also, any thoughts on the age of this piece? Thank you in advance.

[harryamb2]

its either Dutch or Belgium,I think its for the old cross belts not should boards.

[StuG III]

Its an Italian shoulder plate for Infantry, possibly mountain troops.

Tom

[dirtfisherrob]

I found a pair with a different back and unit or reg.numbers on them here- https://www.google.com/search?q=Ital...lder+Boards%22

I wonder if the one I have is newer, older or just a different style?

[TrondK]

It has a flaming bomb in the middle, and what looks like a light artillery piece on the bottom. So out of this i would say "artillery". Now i have not seen anything like this before. And i have very limited knowledge regarding italian militaria- But the design of the weapons makes me believe it is made in ww1 or after ww1.

I believe there was fierce fighting high in the mountains during ww1, they used light artillery and tried to create avalanches on each others.

If i am wrong, blame the lack of coffe&sleep. The evil roosters at my neighbours "rooster fighting farm" kept me awake all night.

[MAP]

I don't think it's artillery as it has crossed rifles and not cannons. I think it is infantry. That said, the unit insignia that I am familiar with are WWII era so not sure if they changed them a bit.

Here are three sites that might help. I did a quick search and didn't see it. (they all have similar examples)

AFRIKA KORPS FORUM / Pith Helmets for Italian Officers (towards bottom of page)

.: World War Helmets - Casque Modèle 933 :. (toward bottom and it's for helmets)

https://archive.org/stream/TME30-420#page/n196/mode/1up (US handbook starting on page 197)

Not conclusive but I think it gives you a lot more to work with.

Regards,

Michael

[MAP]

I found a pair with a different back and unit or reg.numbers on them here- https://www.google.com/search?q=Ital...lder+Boards%22


I wonder if the one I have is newer, older or just a different style?

These are from Germanwarbooty website. A good dealer. These match up as "Line Infantry" in the links I provide.

Michael

[StuG III]

The item at the bottom is actually a machine gun on a tripod.

Tom

[Gunny Hartmann]

The item at the bottom is actually a machine gun on a tripod.

Tom

That's what it looks like to me too!...

[harryamb2]

I forgot the Italians had a king in them days.[idiot]