Item:
ONJR22JWTX041

Original Italian WWII M.V.S.N. Fascist Militia Blackshirts 2nd Pattern Fighting Dagger with Scabbard

Item Description

Original Item: Only One Available. The Milizia Volontaria per la Sicurezza NSDAPonale (MVSN, "Voluntary Militia for National Security"), commonly called the Blackshirts, was originally the paramilitary wing of the National Fascist Party and, after 1923, an all-volunteer militia of the Kingdom of Italy under Fascist rule. Its members were distinguished by their black uniforms (modeled on those of the Arditi, Italy's elite troops of World War I) and their loyalty to Benito Mussolini, the Duce (leader) of Fascism, to whom they swore an oath. The founders of the paramilitary groups were nationalist intellectuals, former army officers and young landowners opposing peasants' and country laborers' unions. Their methods became harsher as Mussolini's power grew, and they used violence and intimidation against Mussolini's opponents. In 1943, following the fall of the Fascist regime, the MVSN was integrated into the Royal Italian Army and disbanded.

These "second pattern" MVSN daggers, unlike the first pattern, were completely and originally manufactured to the designs of the then new Fascist Party specification, and it was intended to serve both as a dress dagger and as a useful combat knife. A good many examples were carried by conscripted members during the Second World War and later became war trophies, such as this example.

The design features a double-edged spear-point blade with steel cross guard and wooden grip secured by two steel rivets and a steel pommel. The edge on the "front" of the blade is quite a bit longer than the edge on the rear. This is a very unique design, and even though it appears that the blade is on backwards it is not. Please see page 76 of the fabulous book: Fighting Knives by Fredrick J. Stephens.

This dagger comes complete in an all steel belt scabbard with angled belt loop. The scabbard front is embossed with the Fascist logo of the famous bound axe and rods, the "Fasces", over M.V.S.N..

The dagger is in lovely used condition. It still has the original factory edge on the blade, with the original final polish crossgrain fully visible. There is just a bit of light staining in a few areas, which we have left intact. The blued finish on the crossguard is excellent, and the grip is in worn condition with cracks present. The scabbard has fared a bit worse, and does have denting and paint loss.

A great example of a very hard to find Italian WWII Dagger!

Dimensions:
Blade length: 8 1/4”
Blade Style: Spear Point Knife
Overall length: 12 3/4”
Crossguard: 3 1/2”
Scabbard length: 8 1/2"

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