Italian Flak Vests / Body Armor

Here are some of the more odd Italian flak vests from my collection. I have only been able to find pictures of the first one in use in Somalia '92-'93. The other two appear to be San Marco pattern and I would guess used in Lebanon but I have no idea. If anyone has any insight, pictures, or non-US flak vests for sale, please let me know. Thanks.

Very nice! If you're up for a trade/sale on the first one I might be interested. At the moment I have a spare Swiss Leibermuster frag vest with soft inserts.

Steve

Hi!
The first flak vest, as you said, was used by san marco's Navy riflemans in Somalia in 1992-93, the following photos refer to this precise period.








About the second one, believe me, I've never seen this type of flak vest (and also this type of camo) weared by any Italian armed forces unit. I think that this item is not italian.

ciao!

Tocc88 wrote:Hi!
The first flak vest, as you said, was used by san marco's Navy riflemans in Somalia in 1992-93, the following photos refer to this precise period.








About the second one, believe me, I've never seen this type of flak vest (and also this type of camo) weared by any Italian armed forces unit. I think that this item is not italian.

ciao!

Wow! great pictures!. Thank you so much! I think the second and third ones were used by paratroopers in Lebanon, at least thats what I was told but I have never seen one being worn. Isn't the camo pattern San Marco/Navy pattern?

No, that camo is not the San Marco's one... it is not an italian camouflage to tell the truth... never seen it, I'm sure about this.
You might check if there are any label/printed code in order to be sure.
Let me know!

Ciao!

Tocc88 wrote:No, that camo is not the San Marco's one... it is not an italian camouflage to tell the truth... never seen it, I'm sure about this.
You might check if there are any label/printed code in order to be sure.
Let me know!

Ciao!

It says Casonni.

Maybe Cassoni?
Wich one? the first or the other?

Tocc88 wrote:Maybe Cassoni?
Wich one? the first or the other?

Both

Tocc88 wrote:Maybe Cassoni?
Wich one? the first or the other?

When I have time, I will take a picture of the tags. But they are definitely Italian made. Maybe Collectinsteve has some thoughts on the pattern?

Now I'm definitely curious on this case. I hope that someone could give us more precise answer! Let me know!

No specific thoughts. However, it's not totally uncommon for body armor to have a slightly different pattern of camouflage than the uniform. Especially in the early days before nations adopted them as standard equipment. My guess is they are Italian and intended for military purposes.

The desert BSM cover is beautiful!!

Steve

I've just observed some photos of the old San Marco's camouflage: the position of the "spots" are the same on your flak vests; what I don't understand is why the colour is so different... Maybe the problem can refer to a bad status of conservation... I wait for you more detailed photos.
Have a nice day!

If the material is nylon, or some other highly artificial fiber material, that can explain the color differences. Early attempts to camouflage materials like that were not very good. "Luigi, I told you to put green on that roller!" "I did as you asked, Marco, but it came out blue!" "Oh well, we get paid either way"

Steve

Tocc88 wrote:I've just observed some photos of the old San Marco's camouflage: the position of the "spots" are the same on your flak vests; what I don't understand is why the colour is so different... Maybe the problem can refer to a bad status of conservation... I wait for you more detailed photos.
Have a nice day!

Sorry for the delay. Here are the pictures of the tags. I will probably pull the plates and inserts out next to see if they have any markings. I also put a picture comparing the two colors of the vests. Was San Marco deployed anywhere in the 80s? Lebanon? Let me know you thoughts.

Tocc88 wrote:I've just observed some photos of the old San Marco's camouflage: the position of the "spots" are the same on your flak vests; what I don't understand is why the colour is so different... Maybe the problem can refer to a bad status of conservation... I wait for you more detailed photos.
Have a nice day!

Upon further research I can confirm that these two vests were used in Lebanon by Italian units in the early 80s. The first picture is of two members of the Italian 9° Col Moschin in Lebanon.

Excellent information! Thanks for the follow up post and pics.

Steve

WOOOOWW!  
Very nice photos, never senn photos of this quality about the Lebanon operation! Very interesting! Great Work!  

These vests are very rare in Italy ,nice pices. In libano italian army used police vest too.