Italian Army Heraldry

[Marcus Karlsson]

Old Arms of the Automobile Corps (Transport Corps).


Modern Arms of the Automobile Corps.

[Chris Green]

Interestingly, although the heraldic artist (it does seem that nearly all these images were by the same person) has used a sort of gray to depict argent, presumably because the intention was to indicate silver rather than white, the arms of the Veterinary Corps and of the 9th Assault Parachute Regiment show the mountain top covered in white snow. Of course it is quite logical that the blazon a snow-covered mountain (or rather its Italian equivalent) should be depicted thus rather than silver.

I have to say that the artist's use of gray as silver really does not work, least of all when in conjunction with gold. The curious sinister half of the arms of the 33rd Electronic Warfare Regiment with its gold on silver (ouch!) and the arms of the Staff and Logistics Unit of the Pozzuoli del Friuli Cavalry Brigade are particularly egregious examples. In the latter the black equestrian knight is detailed in white, possibly because the blazon does not mention the detailing as such and the artist did not feel bound to use his version of argent.

I realise that these arms mostly eschew the use of helm and mantling in favour of the "hovering" mural crown (though there are a few examples of hovering antique - supposedly Roman - helmets). But wouldn't they look better with a proper helm? Given that these are military units it would hardly seem out of place, much less so than the use of a helm in the achievement of a town or a corporation.

[Marcus Karlsson]

Yes the grey colour for Argent is as you write not the best use. Here is the Arms of the Alpinistic Centre, where white is used.


Note the Olympic Rings as a symbol of the Sport oriented education given by the Centre. The Lion is the Aosta Valley Arms with a addition of the chief of Savoy this beeing the arms of the City of Aosta.


The Use of the Roman Helmets where introduced following the abolishing of the Kingdom of Italy in 1946 and used to about 1988. Why they choose not to use Crests and Helmets I don't know, but the Military Heraldry of Italy has not been used to Crests. This was as I earlier wrote replaced by a Mural Crown as a Republican Equalient to the Royal Crown used pre 1946. This was also done by other Italian State Authorities like the State Police and the State Forestry Corps.

The Pozzuoli del Friuli unit are in Italian blasoned as "tagliato d'argento e d'oro, caricato da un cavaliere catafratto di nero" - "Per bend Argent and Or a Armored* Knight Sable". No mention of the white details there so you are probably rigth about the artist there Chris.

*Catafratto alludes to the heavy armored Cavalry of the late Roman Army the Cataphract.

[Marcus Karlsson]

Army War School.


Military School "Nuziatella". Before the unification of Italy this was the Royal Military Academy of the Kingdom of Naples.


Military Academy in Modena.

[Marcus Karlsson]

NCO School of the Italian Army. The Dexter part of the Shiled shows the Arms of the city of Caserta in the upper part and in the lower the Arms of the city of Viterbo.


Anti Aircraft Training Centre.