M1891 Royal Carabinieri King’s guard carbine (Moschetto da Carabinieri Reali Guardie del Re, Mod. 1891 ) − A variant of the M1891 T.S. carbine used by the Squadrone Reali Carabinieri Guardie del Re and later the Italian Republic’s presidential guard. The bolt handle, nose cap, magazine body, and parts of the rear sight were gilded while the other metal parts were blued.
The two World Wars
The Cuirassiers continued to be deployed in warfare, escorting the King in military operations, and earning individual distinctions: airplane pilots Brigadier Mocellin and Carabineer Guard Urbinati were awarded the Silver Medal of Military Valour for their enterprises. Many Cuirassiers also joined the Italian Resistance Movement after the 8th of September 1943, when they were left without orders from higher echelons.
The Mausoleo Ardeatino is the resting place of Carabineer Guard Calcedonio Giordano, Gold Medal of Military Valour, who was arrested, tortured and killed at Rome’s Fosse Ardeatine in 1944.
Everyone has heard of the Pretorian guard, everyone who knows them knows of the corruption and the drip. while at first loyal veteran soldiers the later entered politics becoming the emperor makers. it be fun to have not a better armed but better dressed unit of what are effectivley secret service in uniform.
wiki and most sources kind of glaze over ww2 noting only some cursairs joined the resistance. then just jump to 1946 and 1948 their exile return and multiple reforms. the normal cavaliers or calvary which acted as internal and external police followed German practices, repression, executions and war crimes.
Royal Carabinieri “King’s Guard” and Mussolini’s Era
The Royal Carabinieri Guardie del Re — also called the Corazzieri — were an elite cavalry regiment of the Italian Carabinieri, created in 1868 for the wedding of Crown Prince Umberto of Savoy in Florence www.carcanorifle.com+1. They served as the honor guard of the King of Italy from 1861 until the monarchy’s abolition in 1946Wikipedia+1.
Role and Duties
Ceremonial & Honor Guard: Their primary function was to provide a prestigious, mounted guard for the King, participating in state processions, official receptions, and ceremonial duties Wikipedia+1.
Elite Selection: Members had to meet strict height and bearing requirements, and were chosen for their appearance and discipline www.carcanorifle.com+1.
Uniform & Equipment: They wore distinctive dark blue uniforms with silvered breastplates (cuirasses), plumed helmets, and a special brass‑decorated Vetterli rifle, later the “91 Corazzieri” www.carcanorifle.com+1.
Connection to Mussolini’s Regime
When Benito Mussolini came to power in 1922, the Corazzieri continued their traditional role as the King’s guard, but their presence also symbolized the House of Savoy’s link to the Fascist state. The Fascist regime itself had its own elite honor corps — the Moschettieri del Duce (“Duce’s Musketeers”) — formed in 1923 from the MVSN, tasked with guarding the Grand Council and Mussolini’s public appearances www.carcanorifle.com+1.
By 1940, with Italy entering WWII, the Moschettieri were disbanded so members could join active combat www.carcanorifle.com+1. The Corazzieri, however, remained in their ceremonial role until the monarchy ended in 1946
not to be confused with the
or the latter units that served the italian president
In 1936 the above weapon was replaced by the MVSN mod 1935 officers’ marching dagger in a customized version, maintaining the ebony handle, but with an elegant shape with chrome scabbard, and steel blade with an engraved dedication “To the silent faithful Musketeers, Mussolini”. The dagger dragon was also made of silver, and was an exception to the gold or black ones used by Militia officers.
any acts of the The Moschettieri del Duce (“Musketeers of the Duce”) that violations any treaties or basic human decency would be appreciated in eliminating them as an idea.
gruesome and horrific acts by the National Security (MVSN;/Blackshirts) will not be. also that the smaller Duce organization dissolved in 1940.
how much drip can one unit have
getting this out of the way the only shame about Mussolini’s death is that it did not happen sooner. his ‘rescue’ prolonged Italy’s involvement on the wrong side4 of the war.
