108 Presentation dagger of the fascist militia M.V.S.N. to the Duke of Savoy Pistoia
The dagger corresponds to the regulated M.V.S.N. - dagger but has white grip scales with the fascist lictor bundle inlaid on the front. On the reverse the inscription "FERT" of the House of Savoy within a laurel wreath. The quillons blued.
The blade on the obverse side with engraving: "La Divisione / Camice Nere / "23 Marzo".
On the reverse; "A.S.A.R. il / Duca di Pistoia".
Blued iron scabbard with gilt lictor bundle and the inscription: "M.V.S.N." (Milizia volontaria per la sicurezza nazionale).
The Duke of Pistoia participated in the First World War in the 1st 'Nizza Cavalry' regiment and took part in some of the fighting at Monfalcone and on the Isonzo. On 4 November 1918, with a squadron of his regiment, he was among the first to enter the city of Trento.[After the conflict, his residence was fixed in Bolzano in order to increase the feeling of national unity among the population. On 30 April 1928 Filiberto married Lydia d'Arenberg (1905-1977), daughter of Engelbert Maria d'Arenberg and Edvige di Ligne, in Turin.[The couple had no children. Subsequently, his military career took place between Italy and Italian East Africa: 1929: promotion to colonel. 1932-1933: commander of the 232nd Infantry Regiment. 1933-1934: commander of the 11th Infantry Brigade. 1934: Promotion to Brigadier General. 1935-1937: commanding general of the 1st CC.NN. division. "23 March" of the MVSN (in Ethiopia). 1936: Promotion to General of Division. 1937-1938: General Commander of the 11th Infantry Division "Brenner". 1938-1939: General Commander of the Alpine troops. 1940: General Commander of the 7th Army. 1942: inspector of the mobile troops. His division was the first to hoist the flag of the Kingdom of Italy at Amba Aradam, an operation that earned him a silver medal for military valour and the knighthood of the Military Order of Savoy.
Spectacular, very fine dagger of a M.V.S.N. Commander from the Royal House of Savoy.
Length: 33 cm.
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