100 year old Abyssinian tribesman`s knife with sheath

These objects, one of thousands confiscated from Abyssinian tribesmen by the Italian army after the conquest of that country in 1935, as part of the pacification process.

  The South African army took possession of these and thousands more after the surrender of the Italian forces in 1940. They were sent back to South Africa after WW11.

 I acquired 16 such knives from a friend in 1993.

  I estimate this item to be at least 100 years old, assuming that they were already fairly old when they were confiscated by the Italians 76 years ago.

Beautiful leather work.