M37 WWII Italian Fascist Officer’s Dagger – D878
During the 3rd Reich era, Hitler was only once photographed wearing any type of edged weapon what so ever. It was during his May 1938 week long state tour with Benito Mussolini that the Fuhrer was seen in a few photos sporting an Italian General’s high leaders dagger. In this offering is a Model 1937 officer’s dress dagger in similar concept and design.
The aluminum hilt and crossguard to this edged weapon remain in decent condition. It exhibits some basic wear and age, though nothing all that detracting. The eagle pommel retains nice detail to both the obverse and reverse. Both front and back black grip plates are neatly trimmed, and expertly fit in the center of both sides of the hilt. The brass fasces emblem featuring a bundle of rods with emerging axe blade and symbolized power and jurisdiction, is shown in the obverse grip plate.
An excellent scabbard accompanies this WWII Italian dress dagger. The period black paint is in fantastic condition, and rates 99%. Showing just a few minor specks of paint loss which are mainly confined to the reverse. The brass lower fitting is intact and tight to the shell. Both scabbard bands are in place and hold the hanger rings properly. When we received this dagger there were a set of hangers that came with it. The leather was so shot it was in 3 pieces, and literally crumbling at every touch. We took the hanger to a local saddle shop and they did an absolutely fabulous job in creating new leather to make this set of hangers whole again. As you can see, they used all of the period hardware, clips, and rivets in the construction. They even sewed design stitches on the straps and flap to simulate what the originals had.
Lastly the blade. It remains full length, void of any sharpening, tipping, or cutting edge chips. There is a little bit of surface wear noticeable at the tip of the obverse. It’s not all that bad, though it is there. The rest of the plating is very nice, both obverse and reverse.
A nice WWII Italian Fascist dagger, with reconditioned hangers. SOLD