Italian Carabinieri bicorne hat, tag mentions first half of the 20th century. Vibrant plume with red and blue over an Italian red, white, and green rondel of folded fabric under the flaming cannon ball. Originally founded as the police force of the Kingdom of Sardinia, the forerunner of the Kingdom of Italy. During the process of Italian unification, the Carabinieri were appointed as the "First Force" of the new national military organization. Although the Carabinieri assisted in the suppression of opposition during the rule of Mussolini, they were also responsible for his downfall and many units were disbanded during World War II by Nazi Germany. Which resulted in large numbers of Carabinieri joining the Italian resistance movement during war time. Size 16" L x 17" H (top of feathers)