PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: This is a M1937 MVSN Leaders dress dagger with scabbard and gilt double chain hanger. The 7 3/4" long , bright, steel blade has a 1/2" ricasso, a sharpened blade and an unsharpened false edge. The hilt is made from a solid piece of aluminum, with a single curved quillon and an eagle head pommel. To either side of the handle are black bakelite, one which has to its center a gilt fasces, and to the other the head of a brass screw. An interesting feature of this model of knife is that when held in the hand the sharpened edge faces up. The 9 1/4" long steel scabbard retains most of its black paint with some wear near the gold colored ball tipped fitting at the bottom. The scabbard has a brass throat insert along with two brass hangers that encircle the scabbard. Attached to the scabbard hangers is a S.P.Q.R. Fascist Leader dagger chained hanger. The hangers uneven, gilt, alloy chains have interlocking double hooks that attach it to the scabbard rings. The other ends of the chains are attached to a stylized Mussolini "M"which is in turn attached to a spring loaded belt clip which has embossed to one side a Roman eagle, partially surrounded by black enamel, over the letters "SPQR", Senatus Populus Que Romanus (For the Senate and the People of Rome), which refers to the government of the ancient Roman Republic and was used by Mussolini as a propaganda slogan. The dagger has some minor surface spotting to the handle but the blade is in almost mint condition with some minor runner marks. The scabbard retains about 85% of its black finish with some scratches and wear down to base metal close to the bottom, while the gilt to the ball at the end is mostly worn off. The chain hanger retains most of its gilt wash but only about 50% of the black enamel remains. Very nice example of a seldom seen MVSN Leaders dress dagger and hanger.

GRADE***3/4                             PRICE $1,400.00