The sword in classical design, hilt and crossguard as allegorical compositions of gilt silver. Hilt in the form of a woman, symbolizing “La Italia”, two seated children on the crossguard as symbol for the “Children of Italy”. The crossguard is decorated with laurel leaves, symbolizing military merit. Its center with a shield, inscribed “Al. Cap. Emanuele Pugliese Cav. Del Ord. Milit. Di Savoia S. I. Israeliti Italiani”. Blade of finest Damascus steel, on the ricasso the German manufacturer's mark of “Clemens & Jung Solingen”.
The sword was evidently presented without scabbard, overall length 120 cm.
This sword was used as cover illustration for the book “140 Jewish Marshals, Generals and Admirals” by E. Rubin. A presentation copy with the author's dedication to Pugliese, dated 1952, accompanies the sword. On pages 163 - 166 there is a detailed biography of E. Pugliese with all his merits and decorations as well as a photograph in uniform. Also included a photograph from 1960 of Pugliese's living room with the sword on the wall next to his photograph.
Impressive presentation sword of historical significance. To this day, no other presentation sword to a Jewish general is known.
With Italy's entry into World War I in 1915, many Jews volunteered and served in all military branches. In the following three years of conflict, 8,000 Jewish Italians served bravely in the ranks of the army. 500 soldiers of Jewish faith fell in defense of the flag and twice that number were wounded. Colonel Emanuele Pugliese distinguished himself during the Battle of Vittorio Veneto and was promoted to general at war's end.
Emanuele Pugliese was one of the few Jewish generals in World War I with outstanding merit. The sword was presented in recognition of the successful defense of Monte Grappa (October-December 1917) and the fighting at Vittorio Veneto, for which Pugliese also received the Officer's Cross of the Military Order of Savoy.

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Italy Presentation Sword to General Emanuele Pugliese, Presented by the Jewish Community of Italy

This exceptional presentation sword embodies a remarkable chapter of Italian-Jewish military history during World War I. When Italy entered the war in 1915, numerous Jewish citizens volunteered for service in the Italian Army. The Jewish community of Italy thereby demonstrated its patriotic connection to the nation, and this sword became a symbol of this special relationship between the Jewish population and the Italian state.

The sword was presented to Captain Emanuele Pugliese by the Jewish community of Italy in recognition of his outstanding military achievements. Pugliese, born in 1874 and died in 1967, came from a Jewish family and began his military career during the Italo-Turkish War of 1911-12. During World War I, he rose rapidly through the ranks and participated in two decisive military engagements that significantly influenced the course of the war on the Italian Front.

The defense of Monte Grappa between November and December 1917 represented a critical defensive victory that stabilized the Italian front after the disaster at Caporetto. Pugliese's role in this successful defense was significant enough to earn the attention and gratitude of the Jewish community. Subsequently, he fought in the Battle of Vittorio Veneto from October 24 to November 3, 1918, the decisive Italian victory that ended the war on the Italian Front. For these achievements, he received the Officer's Cross of the Military Order of Savoy, one of the highest Italian military decorations, awarded in five classes for distinguished military merit in combat. This order had been established in 1815.

At war's end, Pugliese became a divisional commander with the rank of general. His military career continued in the interwar period: he fought in Albania in 1920, was appointed military commander of Sardinia in 1931, and reached the rank of Lieutenant General and corps commander in 1934. Pugliese received the highest Italian military decorations as well as many foreign honors, underscoring his significance as one of the few Jewish generals of World War I with outstanding merit.

The inscription on the sword reads: “Al. Cap. Emanuele Pugliese Cav. Del Ord. Milit. Di Savoia S. I. Israeliti Italiani” (To Captain Emanuele Pugliese, Knight of the Military Order of Savoy, from the Italian Israelites). The hilt is shaped in the form of a woman symbolizing “La Italia”, while two seated children on the guard represent the “Children of Italy”. The guard is decorated with laurel leaves symbolizing military merit. The blade of finest damascus steel bears the manufacturer's mark “Clemens & Jung Solingen”.

The firm Clemens & Jung was founded in 1860 in Solingen, Germany, and specialized in the production of swords, sabers, bayonets, and steel goods. The company was located at Florastrasse 54 and was registered in the commercial register on March 15, 1876. Production continued until 1944 when the factory was destroyed by bombing. The company trademark featured a crowned Z on a shield.

The context of Jewish participation in World War I in Italy is noteworthy: approximately 5,000 to 8,000 Italian Jews served in the Italian Army during the war, with approximately 420 to 500 killed in action and about 700 to 1,000 receiving decorations. The sword remained in Pugliese's possession throughout his life. A photograph from 1960 shows the sword displayed on the wall of his living room next to his photograph. It was featured as the cover illustration for E. Rubin's book “140 Jewish Marshals, Generals and Admirals”, and a presentation copy of this book dated 1952 accompanied the sword. The book includes a detailed biography of Pugliese on pages 163-166, with documentation of his achievements, decorations, and a photograph in uniform. After his death in 1967, the sword evidently entered the collectors' market or museum holdings.

This ceremonial sword with a total length of 120 cm, apparently presented without a scabbard, represents a unique piece. According to the object description, no other presentation sword given to a Jewish general is known to date, making this specimen a singular historical artifact symbolizing the patriotic participation of the Jewish community of Italy in World War I and their gratitude for military service.