Ethiopian "bowie knife"

Andreas · 21st February 2018, 02:11 PM

It's a PAI dagger (PAI= Polizia dell' Africa Italiana=Italian Africa Police). It was produced in 1936 for use by Somali troops in Italian service. The cross of Savoy
on the eagle's chest was omitted from the daggers intended for local troopers for religious reasons, but retained for the European cadres, senior NCOs and Officers. It was based on the billao. The knot is a badge of the House of Savoy.
Andreas

21st February 2018, 02:11 PM	#4
Andreas Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Ionian Islands, Greece Posts: 96	It's a PAI dagger (PAI= Polizia dell' Africa Italiana=Italian Africa Police). It was produced in 1936 for use by Somali troops in Italian service. The cross of Savoy on the eagle's chest was omitted from the daggers intended for local troopers for religious reasons, but retained for the European cadres, senior NCOs and Officers. It was based on the billao. The knot is a badge of the House of Savoy. Andreas