Thank you all responders, but the question continues. I have the second sword of that kind in my collection, and that one is all-iron, with iron, not ivory, inlay, and with no etching or any inscription on the blade. There is the description of that sword in Calamandrei's book - see the scan of the page. It indicates the later period, that of Pope Paolo VI.
Should we, then, presume that this particular model was in use over long period of time, with modifications? Or that, perhaps, the all-steel model versus ivory reflected the rank of the bearer?
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