Spain, Spanish State. A Falange Youth Knife

A Falange Youth knife, measuring 26.5 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 14.5 cm-long magnetic steel blade with a blunted tip and unsharpened edges. Acid-etched onto the obverse of the blade is an inscription of “ARRIBA ESPAÑA!” (“SPAIN ARISE!”). The reverse ricasso is stamped with a manufacture date of “1941”. It sits securely within a one-piece, nickel-plated, magnetic metal hilt with the seam covered by an intact leather buffer pad. The handle grip consists of two pieces of pebbled black bakelite, secured together with dual magnetic metal rivets. Inset into the obverse of the handle is an enameled Falange insignia measuring 15 mm (w) x 25 mm (h). It is accompanied by its original scabbard, constructed of a black-painted magnetic metal shaft. Riveted to the reverse is a black leather strap stitched into a for belt suspension, with an additional functional metal snap button to hold the knife firmly in place. Issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include running marks and tarnishing to the blade, some loss of finish to the nickel-plated features, loss of scabbard paint with consequent surface oxidation, and the scabbard’s throat catch no longer functions. It remains in a very fine condition.