Slovakia, I Republic. An Army And Government Official’s M39 Dagger, With Hanger

A very well-preserved Slovakian Army and Government Official’s M39 dagger, measuring 485 mm in total length when inserted into the scabbard. It features a 225 mm-long tapering magnetic metal blade with a sharpened tip and semi-sharpened edges. The blade presents plain and sits securely within a one-piece hilt constructed of polished and silvered bronze. A raised Slovakian Patriarchal Cross adorns both the obverse and reverse of the handle, with a dimpled texture throughout. The handle grip is composed of two pieces of black bakelite fastened together with non-ferrous metal rivets. It is accompanied by its period original scabbard, also constructed of a dimpled and polished non-magnetic metal alloy. Dual integral loops emanate from the side of the shaft for the accommodation of a dagger hanger, while the throat retains a functional spring catch, securely holding the dagger in place during storage. While well-preserved, issues consistent with age and use are evident, and include some running marks to the blade, sporadic loss of finish to the silver-plated features, and scabbard friction rendering insertion and extraction of the blade difficult. A rare dagger in near extremely fine condition.

Included with the dagger is a period original hanger. It consists of a gilded bronze loop fastening with a functional magnetic metal snap. Suspended from the loop are dual dark brown leather straps, reinforced along the edges with rows of machine stitching. Each strap is perforated with three eyelets, meeting functional bronze buckles for adjustable suspension. Both straps complete in functional gilded magnetic metal loops with functional spring catches. Unmarked, the dagger measures 280 mm in length as presented. With only minor loss of finish evident to the metal features, it is in an overall extremely fine condition.