Hungary, People's Republic. An Honour Dagger, to Mr. Fenő Somogyi, Ministry of the Interior, December 1989

Measuring 285 mm in length with the scabbard on, this dagger features a 163 mm long blade in silver with a four-sided diamond cross section, non-magnetic, the blade bearing an ornate leafing and floral pattern on both sides, with semi-sharp edges and having a very sharp tip. There are very light scratches overall, common to extraction and return to the scabbard, exhibiting a natural shine. The remainder of the dagger including the crossguard and the adjoining elongated octagonal-shaped handle in silver gilt. The capsule-shaped crossguard with dual quillons, the upper of the crossguard with an ornately engraved leafing pattern within a rope-style border, the underside of the crossguard with an ornately engraved raised and voided leafing and floral design, highlighted by four embedded pearls, the two sides of the handle engraved with a wavy diamond-pattern. The obverse of the handle is engraved in running script "Belügyminisztertől / nyugóllomimnylsrz Szelyezész / albalmából / Somogyi Fenő úrnak / 1989. XII. 31." (Minister of the Interior / Tranquility Sagebrush / from the album / To Mr. Fenő Somogyi / December 31, 1989) within a ruled rectangle, with possible misidentification in the text. There are floral motifs added to all four sides where they butt the pommel, the pommel with a coupling housing a round turquoise stone, the base of the coupling with a rope-style border and resting upon a large floral motif, the outer octagonal-shaped edge of the handle with a rope-style border trim, the dagger measuring 260 mm in length. The accompanying scabbard in silver gilt, the centre on both sides with a blue enamelled panel bearing an ornate leafing and floral design, engraved with an ornate leafing pattern on the body of the scabbard to either side of the blue enamelled panel, with a rope-style border separating the aforementioned elements, the outer edge of the scabbard also trimmed in the rope-style border. The tip of the chape has floral motifs added on both sides, while the throat band is engraved with a wavy diamond-pattern flanked by a rope-style border on either side, the top of the throat with multiple deep cut emanating rays framing the opening, each ray separated by a single row incorporating a series of zig zag rules, the scabbard measuring 185 mm in length. Near extremely fine. In its case of issue, with a hardshelled design on both the lid and base, wooden-framed, the exterior with a red dimpled paper covering, the inside lid lined in white nylon and padded, with an impression of the crossguard and the handle of the dagger visible, the base lined in a brushed white felt in a draped-pattern, with a recessed bed to house the dagger, the edge of the bed trimmed in a white cord, dual-hinged along the left side, dual clasp closure on the right side, measuring 146 mm (w) x 330 mm (h) x 55.5 mm (d), exhibiting scattered soiling along with light wear on the exterior, the interior pristine, case better than very fine.