Hello Craig! The "golden" ones always have been attributed to MarineHY. Until recently (I assume one or two years ago, perhaps a little longer,as the certain dagger remains unsold until now) on a german site these golden ones have been attributed to HYhighleaders without further exlanation. BTW at the same site the golden RMBOdaggers are attributed as high rank gov daggers.....
YES shiny GOLD always has to be attributed to high leaders
I have seen and handled several of these golden HYLleader ones, up to now I have not seen any which COULD be the real thing and period.
I am sure you are aware of the "normal" HYknives with special badges which have been attributed to MarineHY but are nothing more than phantasy pieces.
Unfortunately the dagger you show has also certain details which are typical (and for me personally 100%) and known signs for a postwar fake. Sorry, I do not buy the story but look at an item carefully.
I also know the story -I think TMJohnson has written about it- that there has been found such a golden HYleader after the war. I personally tend to think that, due to the special kind of manufacturing (different materials like steel and aluminium needed a homogene finish) the after the war found dagger was a half finished piece (or perhaps a gift) but I have no proof for this.
I personally do not believe in this MarineHY attribution.
Regards,