Fez of the Moschettieri del Duce

The Moschettieri del Duce fez was the distinctive headgear of a selected unit of the Milizia Volontaria per la Sicurezza Nazionale, established on 11 February 1923 for ceremonial, honour-guard and specific security duties.

The Moschettieri reported directly to the MVSN General Command and maintained their headquarters at the Viale Romania barracks in Rome. Their duties included service at Palazzo Venezia, attendance during important political meetings and participation in major official ceremonies and parades.

Period uniform regulations described the fez as similar in general form to that worn by ordinary Militia officers, but rigid and manufactured from black hairy felt. Internal fittings allowed a chinstrap to be attached when required.

Its most distinctive feature was the large silver-coloured metal frontal emblem, consisting of a skull positioned above two crossed foils. This device became the principal identifying symbol of the Moschettieri and also appeared on other unit-specific insignia and personal items.

The upper part of the fez carried an elaborate black braided cord, terminating in a long black side fringe. Period examples also show a small lateral retaining arrangement used to keep the fringe correctly positioned against the headgear.

Another particularly distinctive feature was the sliding chinstrap, fitted with its own metal hardware and internal retaining system. Its construction was specific to the Moschettieri and differed from the arrangements used on superficially similar Italian military headgear, making it an important feature when distinguishing the various types.

Surviving period examples demonstrate a high standard of manufacture. Known construction includes a rigid felt body covered in black textile or silk velvet, light-coloured interior lining and leather components. High-grade original examples are also documented with frontal insignia manufactured from high-purity silver.

One of the principal makers associated with these headpieces was the Roman S.V. Presciutti hat-making firm. Surviving examples retain Presciutti – Roma markings inside, and the company is documented as an important supplier of headgear for the Moschettieri. Presciutti also manufactured caps and specialised headgear for senior MVSN personnel.

The remainder of the Moschettieri uniform was produced to similarly detailed standards. Uniforms were financed by the Segreteria del Duce, while tailoring was entrusted to firms including the Sartoria Principato of Rome. Although based on general MVSN dress, the uniform incorporated numerous unit-specific features.

The formation deliberately remained small. Beginning with only a few dozen men, it had expanded to approximately 180 personnel by 1937, organised into squads and manipoli. In 1938 its strength was temporarily increased to around 200 men for major ceremonial requirements in Rome.

Admission was highly selective. Many Moschettieri were former reserve officers, professionals, employees or managers who retained their civilian occupations and performed their duties on a rotating basis rather than serving as full-time professional personnel.

A lesser-known detail concerns the handling of their equipment: each Moschettiere normally kept his uniform and dagger at home, while the unit’s special carbines remained stored in the armoury. Some members also privately ordered higher-quality silver uniform fittings and insignia, which helps explain minor differences in material and finish between surviving examples of otherwise identical equipment.