Italian Ascari del Cielo Paratroopers Helmet and Goggles

A rare example of the first pattern Paratrooper Helmet worn by the Ascari del Cielo Paratroopers prior to the arrival of the Italian M40 helmet.
These early Paratroopers worn no special clothing, their jump suits and helmets being essentially flying clothing, well demonstrated with this brushed cotton, sheep wool lined helmet. Accompanying the Helmet is a pair of Italian Baruffalo Goggles.
The Ascari del Cielo were the first paratroopers of the Italian armed forces. They were all born in Libya and with Arab-Berber ethnicity. They constituted the majority of the troops of the Battalion (later regiment) Fanti dell Aria, created in 1938, that fought in the Desert War during World War II.
The Helmet is in very good condition with just the slightest wear to the sheep’s wool on the chinstrap. The goggles are in good condition but with the rubber surround to the right lens now detached and in need of re stitching and with loss to the elasticity of the strap.