Yugoslavia, Kingdom. An Air Force Dress Dagger, Model 1937

Dagger with a polished nickel-plated steel blade, magnetic, with semi-sharp edges and a very sharp tip. The obverse ricasso is etched with the monogram of King Peter II of Yugoslavia (reign: 1934-1945) in the centre flanked by an ornate floral design above and below, while the reverse is etched with the Kingdom of Yugoslavia coat-of-arms in the centre flanked by an ornate floral design above and below, the blade without a manufacturer's name and exhibiting marks common to extraction from the scabbard, along with surface wear on the ricassos and measuring 245 mm in length. The nickel-plated non-ferrous metal alloy crossguard is in the form of a propeller that appears on the front of a radial aircraft engine, with a nickel-plated brass push release stud on the reverse of the crossguard, connected to a spring-loaded catch on the reverse ricasso of the blade, allowing for secure attachment to the scabbard. The handle is in jet black celluloid with seven recessed rows which are wrapped in a single row of twisted nickel-plated wire, the pommel in silvered metal alloy that bears the Royal crown and is finished with a ball finial. The dagger measures 362 mm in length overall, the shaft and celluloid grip very loose versus the body of the dagger. The accompanying scabbard is in steel, the body of which is wrapped in blackened leather, the nickel-plated throat stamped with the number "36", with three nickel-plated metal adornments on the body, a locket, a central band and a chape. The locket has a gilded bronze Royal Yugoslav Air Force Pilot Badge affixed, the locket and central band with large nickel-plated metal suspension rings for accommodating the hangers on a belt, while the chape is finished with a large ball finial. The scabbard measures 264 mm in length and exhibits surface wear, contact marks and loss on the nickel-plated throat, locket, central band, chape and the two suspension rings, with traces of gilt remaining on the Royal Yugoslav Air Force Pilot Badge insignia, the blackened leather wrap with one small gouge on the both sides but is without any other flaws. Fine.

Footnote: Royal Yugoslav Air Force Dress Daggers were a purchased item for officers, while Air Force cadets were most likely issued theirs. According to regulations, it was for flying and non-flying officers, non-commissioned officers and cadets of the Air Force academy.