Yugoslavia, Kingdom. A Model 1939 Army Officer’s Dagger

A well-preserved Royal Yugoslav Army Officer’s Model 1939 dress dagger, measuring 38.5 cm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 24 cm-long, nickel-plated, magnetic steel blade. Acid-etched onto the obverse of the ricasso is a Yugoslav coat of arms flanked by an inscription of “ОФИЦИРСКА ЗАДРУГА”, indicating distribution by the Officer’s Cooperative in Belgrade. The reverse of the ricasso bears an additional enlarged Yugoslav coat of arms. The blade sits securely within a gilded brass crossguard, with a functional push-button release set into the obverse and connecting to a clip emanating from the ricasso to release the scabbard lock. A single piece of ribbed and lacquered wood composes the handle grip, with the ribbing retaining an original twisted and rolled wire cord. A gilded brass pommel composes the handle grip, and consists of a detailed Yugoslav royal crown, screwing in to maintain the dagger’s structural integrity. Accompanying the dagger is its original scabbard, constructed of a toned magnetic metal shaft which is decorated throughout the exterior with raised oak leaves. Brass fixtures are sacred to the tip, mid-section, and throat with intact side rivets. The latter two retain loops for the accommodation of a hanger. Affixed to the obverse of the throat fixture is a silvered Yugoslav coat of arms, while a functional catch situated within locks onto the blade’s clip. MInor issues consistent with age and wear are evident, and include some blunting of the blade’s tip with additional faint running marks visible, the loss of a leather liner to the handle grip (with the intact appearance of both the wire and wooden core suggesting deliberate removal), and some tarnishing of the brass fixtures. This Officer-grade dress dagger remains in a better than very fine condition.