Nickel-plated brass blade showing the inscription "F.N.A.I TORINO / Pellegrinaggio al Vittoriale / 1-3-1939 XVII E.F." and "S.E. CONTE DE VECCHI DI VALCISMON". Nickel-plated handle (brass) with inlaid wooden grip plates. One side bears a skull.
Length: 25.5 cm.
FNAI letter opener dated 1. March 1939 of Comandnate de Vecchi. It was a souvenir of the pilgrimage of the Arditi d'Italia Federation to the Vittoriale, the home of the poet Gabriele d'Annunzio. The 1. March 1939 is an important date as it is the date the work began on the immense mausoleum that Gabriele d Annunzio designed for himself after his death. Gabriele d Annunzio died on 8. March 1938.
Cesare Maria De Vecchi was an Italian soldier, colonial administrator, and fascist politician. Also Commandant-General of the Blackshirts from 1. February 1923 until 10. July 1925.
