Hand-crafted Abyssinian tribesman`s knife with sheath

This exquisite handcrafted tribal knife, one of thousands confiscated from Abyssinian tribesmen bythe Italian army after the conquest of that country in 1935, as part of thepacification process.

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

 I acquired 16such knives from a friend in 1993.

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

It is thee crown jewel, literally in my collection of 16 Abyssinian knives.