Yugoslavia, Kingdom. A Naval Officer’s Dagger; Etched with Portepee, c.1939

A well preserved example of a Yugoslavian Naval Officer’s Dagger, measuring 405 mm with the scabbard on, and featuring a 286 mm long long nickel-plated steel blade, with factory un-sharpened edges, and a pointy, yet slightly dinged tip. The blade is diamond shaped, with detailed etched motifs on both sides, but is not maker marked. The blade itself retains nearly all of its original glossy finish, with only light scratches common to extraction and return to the scabbard. The brown leather washer is original to the dagger and sits in its place. The crossguard is constructed of gilt bronze, with a grip constructed of white lacquered wood, with twisted gold wires wound tightly from the knot-shaped gilt bronze to the crossguard. The pommel is that of the screw-on type, and is also constructed of gilt bronze, in the shape of a “monkey first”-type knot. The scabbard is constructed of thick and stiff black leather, with matching bronze fittings that features two loops for attachment to a dagger hanger, measuring 292 mm long. The pommel is constructed of tan fabric, in the shape of a pommel knot, with a thatched design in the core, and is attached to the dagger via its portepee string. Overall this is a well preserved example of a Yugoslavian Naval Officer’s Dagger with some signs of wear and age, including some slight loss to the original gilt finish throughout, in overall better than very fine condition.