This is an unusual presentation dagger awarded to select members of the Ordnungspolizei and Sicherheitspolizei who had graduated from the Colonial police school in Oranienberg and the finishing course at the Italian Colonial Police (PAI) School in Tivoli. The daggers were of Pugnali design used by PAI forces in their colonies and embellished with the signature of PAI General Maraffa. Approximately 400 officers and some enlisted men were allowed to take the finishing course in Italy from 1940 through 1942.
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Return of Germany's colonies was in Hitler's plans. And a police force would be necessary to administer them. Himmler ordered the schools opened, at Oranienburg for the ORPO and Charlottenburg for the SIPO. The daggers were identical to standard issue PAI weapons except for the signature of General Maraffa, the commander of the PAI. There were special instances of the daggers being given for ceremonial occasions, usually with ivory handles and fancier scabbards to the likes of v. Epp, Heydrich and Zindel.I wrote a very nice documented article on this dagger with many photos a few years ago in Roger Bender's magazine "The Military Advisor". Here is a rather severely cropped class photo of one of the SIPO classes with their daggers. -
Joe,
Thanksk for posting this dagger. A very nice photograph of it in wear as well.Comment
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Great piece. Is there an inscription on the blade?Comment
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As I wrote in the first post, the blade is embellished with the engraved signature of PAI General Maraffa. You can see the signature on mine.Comment
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It's great to see something very special. The first time I've seen this. Can't remember that I ever came across them in the Johnson reference works. Or am I wrong?
Regards, Theo
Freedom is not for FreeComment
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No, Johnson had no idea they were around. I learned of them from an Italian collector friend, Rudy D'Angelo, who worked with me on the article.Comment
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Joe , Here is the photo I promised you.
It depicts a "Maro" of the 1st Barbarigo Btl. of Decima Mas wearing a PAI Dagger
during the RSI period.
En-route to the Anzio/Netuno Front all members of Barbarigo Btl. were given PAI daggers by the PAI of Rome.
Barbarigo where being sent at the request of the Germans along with members of 1st Btl. "Debica" of the Italian SS to plug a hole a a road junction. They performed admirably holding for 48hrs covering a German retreat.Comment
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Excellent Dennis. Thanks for adding this point of interest.Comment
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Hello Joe,Originally posted by Dennis S View Post
stunning rare presentation dagger general Marrafa's signature
thanks for sharing!
The PAI (Polizia Africa Italiana have this particular dagger identical in the
form at the traditional dagger of somalian billao (the name of this dagger)
The story of this dagger donate at Barbarigo soldiers is very interesting
(thanks Dennis) in the Calamandrei's book at page 271; wrote the history of this
combat daggers donate by the officers of PAI to the men of Barbarigo after an strong
discussion ( boxe words) with some PAI policeman because these have on their hats
still the insignia Savoy (the cross and knot) after officers of PAI to close with friendship
this ugly discussion organize an honor dinner and donate at Barbarigo soldiers this
daggers with a sign of friendship.
I have photographed this honor dagger in the italian Police museum (special thanks to the
museum police director, to permit to make and use these photos) unfortunately
the grip badge is missing, exist others model with the leather scabbard in white and
with the grip badge with enamel colors.
The General Marraffa died in a German concentration camp because
did not ever part of RSI remaining faithful to the oath of Savoy king.
cheers, RaffaelloLast edited by Raffaello Carola; 05-24-2008, 05:46 AM."six italians, dressed in rather unusual diving suits and equipped with materials of laughably little cost have swung the military balance of power in the Mediterranean in favour of the Axis".Comment
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the blade signature"six italians, dressed in rather unusual diving suits and equipped with materials of laughably little cost have swung the military balance of power in the Mediterranean in favour of the Axis".Comment
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note the savoy knot of the grip (the PAI badge is missing)"six italians, dressed in rather unusual diving suits and equipped with materials of laughably little cost have swung the military balance of power in the Mediterranean in favour of the Axis".Comment
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Savoy knot are in brass"six italians, dressed in rather unusual diving suits and equipped with materials of laughably little cost have swung the military balance of power in the Mediterranean in favour of the Axis".Comment
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the honor dagger with the PAI service knife"six italians, dressed in rather unusual diving suits and equipped with materials of laughably little cost have swung the military balance of power in the Mediterranean in favour of the Axis".Comment
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the hat badge of PAI with the knot and Savoy cross (not popular after
the armistice cause of this ugly discussion with RSI Barbarigo soldiers)
during RSI period the cross and knot are broken by PAI fascist policeman"six italians, dressed in rather unusual diving suits and equipped with materials of laughably little cost have swung the military balance of power in the Mediterranean in favour of the Axis".Comment
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