CROAT ARMED FORCES FIELD CAP WWII

For Junior Second Lieutenant (Zastavnik), version worn during 1943-45, in silver bullion wire on black cloth, very fine condition, and very rare.

Each collar tab with black wool uppers, with two strips in fine silvered copper bullion wire sewn in place via white threading on two sides, a silvered bronze Croatian Home Army insignia affixed via two prongs, reverse with four snap closures for uniform attachment, 40.5 mm x 80 mm each, very fine.

A Croatian Air Force Dagger with Hangers by BRAĆA KNAUS;  Measuring 430 mm with scabbard, this dagger features a 246 mm nickel-plated blade, magnetic, with unsharpened edges, remaining bright and crisp, having a very sharp tip. The blade is maker marked "BRAĆA KNAUS = ZAGREB" on the reverse ricasso. Faint scratches overall, common to extraction and return to the scabbard, natural shine, in extremely fine condition. Exhibiting traces of rust where it butts the crossguard. Nicely-detailed two-sided eagle crossguard, the reverse eagle exhibiting light surface wear. Fittings in silver-plated tombac, dagger handle in a synthetic off-white material, with hairline cracks, which is usual for this type of dagger, along with scattered chipping. Hilt is completed by an original silver bullion portepee in the correct tie, exhibiting wear in the blue fabric covering on the head, exposing the underlying wood frame. Scabbard also in silver-plated tombac, free of dents, with two rings attached, measuring 287 mm in length. Accompanied by original dagger hangers, embroidered uppers, leather backers, ornate design on the clips and buckles matching that of the scabbard, showing wear from active use and age, very fine. Overall, near extremely fine.

A typical Air Force dagger fittings, both pommel and crossguard in silvered non magnetic metal; grip in white colored synthetic material, slightly cracked; scabbard is made of non-magnetic silvered metal, its straight without dents, showing age and minimal use and marked on a throat "Braca Knaus Zagreb". The blade is what makes this dagger unusual; standard Air Force blade (as is Army, Diplomatic, and others) is approximately 24.5cm long, aprox. 2.5cm wide, and is convex; blade on this dagger is double edged/diamond cross section, 23.5cm long, 2.0cm wide and with pointed, sharp tip; it is marked "Braca Knaus Zagreb", with original leather washer, and slightly rusted; with hangers (these in poor condition due to storage); dagger itself in very good condition and untouched since 1945 (purchased in Zagreb from a family this Summer). The only other type of blade manufactured by Knaus that we are aware of is so called Ustasha - PTS dagger; (some believe it is PTS - Pavelic Body Guard Dagger, while some believe it is a Honorary dagger of Croatian Black Legion). This dagger is extremely rare and seldom found. There are two likely possibilities how did Air Force dagger assembled with Ustasha dagger blade; either by mistake, or at one point during the production no other blade was available. This is first time we have encountered this type of blade on Croatian WWII dagger.