Italy

M29 (aka "Swirl")

Official Name
Modello 29 (M29)

Years Used
1929 - 1980s

Used By
Primarily Army

Known Items
Various Shirts, Trousers, Para Suits, Helmet Cover, Rucksacks, Stuff Sack, Shelter Half

Notes

The Italians are credited with having the first large scale issued camouflage item in the world. The 1929 "telo mimetico" was originally procuded for shelter halves, but was later made into uniforms. The Germans even used quite a bit of this material in the period of 1943-1945, with perhaps even moving some manufacturing capacity to Czechoslovakia. Such a move would explain why the Czechs had a jump smock in this material in the late 1940s! The pattern was then put to additional use with post war Italy all the way up until the 1980s, being replaced completely by Modelo 1992 and BSM/COMSUBIN patterns. Throughout this time the pattern never changed, although the colors did quite regullarly and even dramatically. Above are a WWII shelter half (on left) and a 1950s-1980s shelter (on right). Note the subtle color differences but same shapes.
One of the oldest styles of camo has only recently been replaced with newer patterns. From the time of its original design, 1929, until the 1990s this pattern remained exactly the same with only slight coloration variations. The standard uniform consists of hooded jacket and trousers. Elbows and knees are padded.

Uniform Variation Notes
The Folgore (airborne) uniform is quite different from the standard Army version. The differences are too many in number to list. However, the major unique features of the jacket are extra padding on the shoulders, longer length with elastic waist, neck flap when worn open collar , and jacket pocket flaps are made from piece coming over shoulders. The pants are cut entirely different, replaced slash pockets with flapped ones, and have zippered cargo pockets. Both garments have straps at the elbows and knees to tighten the uniform to the soldier.

Extra Info
None at this time

**Woodland**
Official Name	M92, M96
Years Used	1986(?) - 2005
Used By	Army, Airforce
Known Items	Shirt, Trousers, AFV Coveralls, Cap, Helmet Cover, Rain Jacket, Rain Trousers, Frag Vest
Notes	Like the so many other countries, Italy has moved away from its unique camo and embraced the <yawn> mundane US based Woodland pattern. Fortunately it is currently being replaced by a new "digital" pattern. The Modelo 1992 uniform is rather straight forward Woodland pattern with a slightly richer look to its colors. The uniform itself lacks the elbow/knee pads of previous uniforms, and appears to be made out of a much less robust cotton fabric. Apparently they fade and wear out very quickly. Judging by the examples I have seen I am inclined to believe. Uniform Variation Notes I have two uniforms in this pattern. One is 1992 dated M92 and the other a 1999 dated . The manufactures and contract numbers are different, as are the uniforms themselves. The M92 uniform is slightly more brown and makes use of hidden button pockets for all pants and the chest (inside and out) pockets. The buttons on the M96 uniform are smaller and cheaper looking. The M92 jacket does not have a velcro strip for the soldier name or the left arm "Italia" patch. The velcro rank patch is all this one has, but is plain olive color instead of camo color as seen on the M96 jacket. My conclusion here is that the original suit was altered to lower production costs.M96
Extra Info	None at this time

**M92/M96**
Official Name	M92, M96
Years Used	1993(?) - 2005
Used By	Army, Airforce
Known Items	Shirt, Trousers, Boonie, Helmet Cover
Notes	In 1988 the Italian Army introduced this four color desert uniform based exactly on the Modelo 92 and Modelo 96 patterns. Currently being replaced by a new "digital" pattern.
Extra Info	None at this time

**M29 (aka "Swirl")**
Official Name	Modello 29 (M29)
Years Used	1929 - 1980s
Used By	Primarily Army
Known Items	Various Shirts, Trousers, Para Suits, Helmet Cover, Rucksacks, Stuff Sack, Shelter Half
Notes	The Italians are credited with having the first large scale issued camouflage item in the world. The 1929 "telo mimetico" was originally procuded for shelter halves, but was later made into uniforms. The Germans even used quite a bit of this material in the period of 1943-1945, with perhaps even moving some manufacturing capacity to Czechoslovakia. Such a move would explain why the Czechs had a jump smock in this material in the late 1940s! The pattern was then put to additional use with post war Italy all the way up until the 1980s, being replaced completely by Modelo 1992 and BSM/COMSUBIN patterns. Throughout this time the pattern never changed, although the colors did quite regullarly and even dramatically. Above are a WWII shelter half (on left) and a 1950s-1980s shelter (on right). Note the subtle color differences but same shapes. One of the oldest styles of camo has only recently been replaced with newer patterns. From the time of its original design, 1929, until the 1990s this pattern remained exactly the same with only slight coloration variations. The standard uniform consists of hooded jacket and trousers. Elbows and knees are padded. Uniform Variation Notes The Folgore (airborne) uniform is quite different from the standard Army version. The differences are too many in number to list. However, the major unique features of the jacket are extra padding on the shoulders, longer length with elastic waist, neck flap when worn open collar , and jacket pocket flaps are made from piece coming over shoulders. The pants are cut entirely different, replaced slash pockets with flapped ones, and have zippered cargo pockets. Both garments have straps at the elbows and knees to tighten the uniform to the soldier.
Extra Info	None at this time

M29 (aka "Old BSM")

Official Name
(?)

Years Used
(?) - 1992(?)

Used By
Marines

Known Items
Jacket, Trousers, Overalls, Helmet Cover

Notes

Description Name pattern.

Extra Info
None at this time

Spray (aka Splotch)

Official Name
(?)

Years Used
1993(?) - Present

Used By
Marines

Known Items
Shirt, Trousers, Nylon Jacket, Helmet Cover, Hat, Coveralls, Rank Slipons

Notes

Sometime in the early 1990s the B.S.M decided it was time for a change from the old 1920s pattern and developed this striking "spray camouflage" pattern. This uniform was very difficult to obtain until recently since it is only worn by the relatively small B.S.M and COM.SUB.IN (Marine Special Forces) troops.

Extra Info
None at this time

BSM/COMSUBIN Temperate

Official Name
(?)

Years Used
2002(?) - Present

Used By
COMSUBIN

Notes

The uniform's design is also a radical departure from earlier Italian uniforms. The major feature is the relocation of the lower front pockets to the sleeves. This was a common modification to the earlier uniforms to better work with body armor. The cloth is made out of thin cotton ripstop and the camo pattern is similar to the 1990s pattern, but certainly not the same.

Extra Info
None at this time

**BSM/COMSUBIN Desert**
Official Name	(?)
Years Used	2001(?) - Present
Used By	COMSUBIN
Notes	Similar to the Temperate version, but made out of cloth similar to the earlier 1990s BSM/COMSUBIN uniform. Although it shares the same conceptual design changes as went into the Temperate version, there are significant differences.
Extra Info	None at this time