Check this out! Here is what we recognize as a “pre-rizzuto” but has a Rizzuto Estileto Milano tang stamp. This does two things. It shows the pre-rizzuto knives were in fact made in Japan. The REM stamp on the tang also indicates this is where the makers began placing it on the earliest knives. This particular rizzuto is missing its guards which doubtless were the batwing variety like the others of this variation. By virtue of the stamp on this very uncommon knife, one could say this particular one is a rizzuto and not a pre rizzuto.
Photos courtesy of PocketKnifeTherapy on AAPK