Original Italian WWII Fascist Youth GIL Cadet Dagger with Wood Grip and Oilcloth Sheath

Item DescriptionOriginal Item: Only One Available. World War II Italian Fascist Youth Dagger Knife produced for G.I.L. cadets It is in fair overall condition with the black paint of the grip now nearly gone. Complete with the original oilcloth scabbard.Dagger features a gilded brass hilt with eagle head and capstan. The grip is wood painted black with three strands of brass wire in each groove of the grip. The wire is loose but present. with all of the original brass wire and gilded brass Fascist insignia with ruby red eyes.The oilcloth scabbard is in good shape with the tip now broken and the securing strap gone.The Gioventù Italiana del Littorio (GIL) (English: Italian Youth of the Lictor) was the consolidated youth movement of the National Fascist Party of Italy that was established in 1937 to replace the Opera NSDAPonale Balilla (ONB). It was created to supervise and influence the minds of all youths, that was effectively directed against the influence of the Catholic Church on youths.The organization surpassed its purpose as a cultural institution that was intended to serve as the ideological counterpart of school, and served as a paramilitary group (training for future assignments in the Italian Army), as well as education in the career of choice, technology (including postschool courses for legal adults), or education related to home and family (solely for the girls). It carried out indoctrination with a message of Italian-ness and Fascism, training youths as 'the fascists of tomorrow'.Moreover, the GIL took charge of all activities initiated by schools, and pressured teachers to enlist all students. Aside from the usual 'Fascist Saturdays', children would spend their summers in camps (which included the national-level Campi Dux, reunions of Balilla and Avanguardisti).Male children enrolled wore a uniform adapted from that of the Blackshirts: the eponymous black shirt, the fez of Arditi tradition, grey-green trousers, black fasces emblems, and azure handkerchiefs (i.e.: in the national color of Italy). During military exercises, they were armed with scaled-down version of Royal Italian Army service rifle, Moschetto Balilla (the rifles were replaced with replica versions for the Figli della Lupa).Specifications:Blade Length: 6 1/4'Overall length: 10 7/8'Crossguard: 2 7/8'Scabbard Length: 6 5/8'Shipping RestrictionsThis product is available for international shipping.Payment OptionsEligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle