Italian Soviet Style Berets

These days the Italian military wear berets like most other militaries around the world, but during WWII, the typical Soviet style berets were common. 

These beret were not knitted from one thread and then felted, but were made of various pieces of woven wool sewn together. 

They were even fitted with a cabillou-like piece of material at the center of the beret. The top photo is a M29 model of a paratrooper.

The remaining photos are of a medical doctor parachutist.

Nowadays, these type of berets are still manufactured in Poland and make for excellent headwear.