Ethiopian "bowie knife"

Martin Lubojacky · 21st February 2018, 06:58 AM

If this knife could narrate ... Due to its domicile origin it, maybe, should be posted in "European Armoury Forum".
The knife is from Ethiopia, nevertheless made of some European fighting knife. I would be glad if some colleague forimite could allocate the origin of the original fighting knife - there is some eagle emblem on it. Also on the blade there are Nos.
Thanks
Martin

Tim Simmons · 21st February 2018, 07:42 AM

Italian but not with a fasces. I would think the knot has similar symbolism. Knots go with navy stuff??

Martin Lubojacky · 21st February 2018, 10:23 AM

Hi Tim,
Thank you for your prompt input. I would also guess Italian (because of the the shape of the eagle, because the knife was found in Ethiopia). Nevertheless I did not find exactly the same symbol on internet. This could be question for experts on Italian-Ethiopian relationship during the thirties and forties, or for experts on Italian fascist armoury (?)

Andreas · 21st February 2018, 03:11 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

roanoa · 21st February 2018, 04:17 PM

Correct. It is a PAI "Billao". The blade has been reshaped a little and the scabbard had been replaced. These daggers had a serial number. The "PC" of the serial number stands for Polizia Coloniale (Colonial Police).

Martin Lubojacky · 21st February 2018, 06:46 PM

Roanoa and Andreas, thank you both a lot !
Best
Martin

21st February 2018, 06:58 AM	#1
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 841	Ethiopian "bowie knife" If this knife could narrate ... Due to its domicile origin it, maybe, should be posted in "European Armoury Forum". The knife is from Ethiopia, nevertheless made of some European fighting knife. I would be glad if some colleague forimite could allocate the origin of the original fighting knife - there is some eagle emblem on it. Also on the blade there are Nos. Thanks Martin Attached Images

21st February 2018, 04:17 PM	#5
roanoa Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 234	Correct. It is a PAI "Billao". The blade has been reshaped a little and the scabbard had been replaced. These daggers had a serial number. The "PC" of the serial number stands for Polizia Coloniale (Colonial Police). Attached Images

21st February 2018, 07:42 AM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Italian but not with a fasces. I would think the knot has similar symbolism. Knots go with navy stuff??

21st February 2018, 10:23 AM	#3
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 841	Hi Tim, Thank you for your prompt input. I would also guess Italian (because of the the shape of the eagle, because the knife was found in Ethiopia). Nevertheless I did not find exactly the same symbol on internet. This could be question for experts on Italian-Ethiopian relationship during the thirties and forties, or for experts on Italian fascist armoury (?)

21st February 2018, 03:11 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

21st February 2018, 06:46 PM	#6
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 841	Roanoa and Andreas, thank you both a lot ! Best Martin