Russia, Soviet Union. A Soviet Navy Officer’s Dirk with Hanger, c. 1954

A very well-preserved Soviet Navy Officer’s dirk, measuring 345 mm in length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 215 mm-long nickel-plated magnetic metal blade with a sharpened tip and unsharpened edges. The obverse ricasso bears an etched maker’s mark of “ЗИК”, along with a manufacture date of 1954. The reverse ricasso is stamped with a serial number of “N26119”. The blade is set securely into the upper crossguard, presenting with hooked quillons at both ends. The handle and ricasso retain a functional spring catch, unlocked with a stud on the handle, for secure attachment to the scabbard. The handle grip is composed of smooth light orange celluloid, and completes with a gilded bronze pommel stamped with a detailed Soviet coat of arms. It is accompanied by its period original scabbard, constructed of a blackened boiled leather shaft with three gilded bronze adornments, each held in place by a single visible rivet. The obverse throat adornment bears a detailed sailboat with masts raised, while the reverse features a raised fouled anchor. Both the throat and middle adornments also bear integral loops with suspension rings accommodating a hanger, similarly included. The hanger is composed of a lemon-yellow cotton twill belt, with the obverse bearing three bands of machine-embroidered multi-coloured bands. One end of the belt features a magnetic metal clip meeting an analogous clasp at the opposite end. The belt has two integral bronze loops connecting to dual short straps with functional spring clips. Each strap completes with a functional spring clip meeting the analogous suspension loops on the scabbard. The belt finishes with an adjustable buckle bearing a raised central fouled anchor, topped by a five-pointed star, and set within a laurel wreath. The reverse of the belt bears an illegible stamped maker’s mark. It measures 1060 mm in length. Minor, age-appropriate oxidation and material fatigue is evident to the dirk and hanger, respectively. It is in an overall near extremely fine condition.