Italy Italian Machine Gunner?

[Chris Boonzaier]

Hi,

is this WW1 Italian?

Thanks

Chris

[claudio2574]

Yes for sure. The collar with the three stripes and the star was for machine gunners. They can be white over red (Fiat machine guns) or white over blue (Breda ones). Here is a small medal from ww1

After WW1 (I don't know exactly when) the white over red remained for all machine gunners, while the white over blue disappeared. Here is my father picture, shooted in Cavtat on 24th july 1943 (one day before the end of fascism in Italy), having the same collar tabs. The picture was taken in front of the church of St. Michael.

[Chris Boonzaier]

Hi Claudio,

perfect, thanks... so this would be WW1 or just after?

Does the arm badge with a number mean anything?

Best

Chris

[claudio2574]

Could be the regiment or the battalion, I'm not an expert of WW1. Do you want I ost your question in an Italian forum?

[Chris Boonzaier]

That would be great, thanks ;-)

[claudio2574]

Post done, waiting for answers...

[medalman90]

Very cool picture chris. I like that you see him with his service ribbon. Claudio, awesome medal!

[claudio2574]

Hello. Here are the answers I got.

The gunner was in the 134th company machine guns, using the SantEtienne French weapons.
The collar tabs were white over blue.
That company was under the following main unit in the years 1917-1918:
Vth army corp
15-26 jan 1917 in Cornedo
26 jan - feb in Cestone Sogi Lora
mar-may again in Cornedo
6th division
jun-feb 1918 Val Croina
XIV army corp
mar Tremalzo
apr Barghe
may-jul Monte Melino
aug-oct Val Albinocolo
X army corp
nov 1918 Bressanone

The signs showed in the picture should have been used since april 1918.
The badge for the "fatiche di guerra" become the "enemy bronze medal" in 1920, so the picture can be dated between april 1918 and july 1920.

[Chris Boonzaier]

Hi Claudio,

thanks a million!!

I did not know they used St Etienne MGS!