Mervyn Mitton Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 This is one for the sword collectors to 'get their teeth into' . I can recognise it as European - the name looks Italian - also, looks Portuguese in style. Since we had two of their colonies either side of Sth. Africa, I tend to favour this idea, but, what date and was it for Colonial Forces or, brought from Europe ? Over to you.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted August 13, 2009 Author Share Posted August 13, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted August 13, 2009 Author Share Posted August 13, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted August 13, 2009 Author Share Posted August 13, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimZ Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 I believe the manufacturer Sebastiano Gnutti & Figli an Italian sword manufacturer (amongst other things). For whom the sword may have been manufactured is an entirely different thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Hart Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 Hi Mervyn, I don't recognise the pattern, but the profiled grip, cut-out indentation in the guard for the tumb-tip and the sword knot are all very Italian features! John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Hopkins Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 Hi Mervyn, I don't recognise the pattern, but the profiled grip, cut-out indentation in the guard for the tumb-tip and the sword knot are all very Italian features! John Mervyn, It is definitely Italian, but I am not sure what pattern. It appears to be a mix of two patterns; the guard of an M1929 Infantry NCO sword: And the grip of an M1888 Artillery sword: I cannot cite a reference, but I have been told that some WWII era Italian swords were put together from elements of various models to sell to allied soldiers as souvenirs. I am not sure how true that is, though. Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted August 17, 2009 Author Share Posted August 17, 2009 Always nice when a quastion on something crops-up - gives us something to think about.... Now that we know it is Italian, I think it's provenance is a little clearer. One of the most succesful - but, least known campaigns in WW2 was the Sth. African attack on Ethiopia. Our troops - 28,000 only - had to motor from Capetown, up through Kenya - collecting troops on the way. The Italians had 250,000 men available, but , and I have read a number of books on this - most did not support Fascism and they retreated. We captured thousands and it was a great problem as to where to take them. Many were sent to Canada and also, Sth. Africa. The point I am leading up to is that many 'souvenirs' were captured and brought back by our troops. We see all kinds of things that were picked-up. Therefore, could this be a pattern for Italian Colonial Cavalry ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted August 17, 2009 Author Share Posted August 17, 2009 Out of interest and in relation to the above - this captured Italian Regimental medal came just last Friday. I think all troops - in all campaigns - like to have souvenirs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter monahan Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 One of the most succesful - but, least known campaigns in WW2 was the Sth. African attack on Ethiopia. Our troops - 28,000 only - had to motor from Capetown, up through Kenya - collecting troops on the way. The Italians had 250,000 men available, but , and I have read a number of books on this - most did not support Fascism and they retreated. We captured thousands and it was a great problem as to where to take them. Many were sent to Canada and also, Sth. Africa. Yes, and when the British command reported on and asked for assistance with the large number of POWs and were asked by London to give a specific number, their response was "100 acres of ORs and 10 acres of officers" ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khira02 Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 (edited) Always nice if a quastion on something crops-up - gives us something to anticipate about.... Nowthat we apperceive it is Italian, I anticipate it's ancestry is alittle clearer. One of the a lot of succesful - but, atomic acceptedcampaigns in WW2 was the Sth. African advance on Ethiopia. Our troops -28,000 alone - had to motor from Capetown, up through Kenya - accessiontroops on the way. The Italians had 250,000 men available, but , and Iaccept apprehend a amount of books on this - a lot of did not abutmentFascism and they retreated. We captured bags and it was a abundantbotheration as to area to yield them. Many were beatific to Canada andalso, Sth. Africa. _________________ :) Edited August 31, 2009 by khira02 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted August 31, 2009 Author Share Posted August 31, 2009 (edited) Khira (?) Very nice to hear from someone in the Phillipines - I'm sure other members will say - hello ! I hope you will enjoy being a member. Tell us something about yourself - what do you collect and what are your militaria interests ? Mervyn Edited August 31, 2009 by Mervyn Mitton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmitry Posted October 8, 2009 Share Posted October 8, 2009 This is a bersaglieri nco sword ca.1930-1940. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mervyn Mitton Posted October 8, 2009 Author Share Posted October 8, 2009 Thankyou Dmitry. Very nice to have a definite identification. Do you think it could have been taken in Ethiopia ? I expect the Bersegliari were there ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmitry Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 Thankyou Dmitry. Very nice to have a definite identification. Do you think it could have been taken in Ethiopia ? I expect the Bersegliari were there ? That is correct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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