Croatia, Independent State. A Second War Air Force Officer’s Dagger
This is a very well-preserved Second War Croatian Air Force officer’s dagger, measuring 420 mm in length when inserted into the scabbard. The dagger features a 244 mm-long magnetic metal blade with a sharpened tip and blunted edges. The ricasso bears an intact brown leather washer covering the seam with the upper crossguard, itself constructed of bronze and presenting as a stylized eagle with wings spread. The crossguard transitions into a knotted white celluloid handle, which in turn completes with a bronze pommel. The pommel, consisting of a stylized knotted wreath, was formerly engraved on the obverse with raised initials “NDH” for “NEZAVISNA DRŽAVA HRVATSKA” (“INDEPENDENT STATE OF CROATIA”). The dagger is accompanied by its original bronze scabbard. The upper half of the scabbard is pebbled, while the lower half is adorned on each side with ten stamped stars inside of stylized wreaths. It bears two loops for the accommodation of a dagger hanger, as well as additional stamped designs surrounding the throat. The dagger is unmarked. Some tarnishing is evident to the metallic features, the edges of the blade display minor chips and dents, and the scabbard’s throat spring catch is no longer functional. Otherwise in better then very fine condition.