Italy, Kingdom. A Military Academy of Modena Cadet’s Dress Dagger, by Fratelli Turco

An extremely well-preserved Military Academy of Modena cadet’s dress dagger, measuring 395 mm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 220 mm-long polished magnetic steel blade with a sharpened tip and unspoiled edges. The blade is unmarked with the exception of a maker’s mark on the reverse ricasso of “FLLI. TURCO, NAPOLI”. It sits securely within a gilded bronze crossguard, presenting with dual lion paws, bearing raised military imagery on each side, including a rifle, cannon, standards, and edged weapons. The hilt is constructed of multiple pieces of gilded bronze, with two strips of mother of pearl comprising the handle grip. It completes with a pommel in the form of a finely-detailed lion head, screwing in to securely maintain the dagger’s structural integrity. It is accompanied by its period original scabbard, constructed of an ornate gilded bronze shaft, decorated with laurel and oak leaf designs. Emanating from the upper third of the shaft are dual integral loops for attachment to a dagger hanger. The throat bears a raised academy motto of “UNA ACIES” (“ONE RANK OF TROOPS”), and retains a functional spring catch, securely holding the dagger in place during storage. Slight running marks are visible to the blade, and the gilded bronze features demonstrate minor loss of finish. The dagger is in an overall extremely fine condition.