UBB.threads Forums Edged Weapons European Edged Weapons Help Identify Russian?? Dagger or, Hey Manfred

I picked this up today. I was at first scepticle, and still am, but I understand the pre WWII Russian dagger scabbards were un embelished. This one is very well built, has a genuine ivory grip that looks both perfectly cut and properly aged. There are no markings except a hand hammered star as a pommel nut, the same as the post war soviet daggers.

I can see on the scabbard where one edge originaly had a ring "brazed" to it.

So, help guys, what do I have?

This is the open dagger

Note that it looks almost identical in size and shape to the soviet daggers. Here is the grip.

I can see the gold plating on the scabbard mouth and the undersides of the cross guard

Hi Jim do read PM sometimes or you dont want to talk with me anymore. regards zet sorry that on the forum.

What a coincidence.

It looks ver much like the following dagger.

ebay sale

Thanks for the response.

I compared this to the Hungarian AF, and while it appears the same in general, the entire scabbard is different construction. ie: the Hungarian scabbard is flat with a narrow scabbard mouth while the other is more oval like the russians and is very well made.

Make no mistake, I would like to call this a Hungarian A/F dagger with ivory grip, but the circumstances do not fit.

Jim

Zet, I have no pm's in my GDC account or at least none that I can find.

I have answered every inquiry you make via email.

Perhaps you should check your span setting or something different. In the meen time, I am receiving emails properly so you should be able to contact me.

Jim

This could be a recombined parts dagger made from Russian or Hungarian (maybe Bulgarian) dagger parts to be used for 'civilian' use or for sale to tourists. I have seen a couple of those before.

Not really the answer I was hoping for Manfred,
but appreciate your expertise.

Sounds like I should just call it an early Hungarian A/F dagger and leave it at that.

Thanks again guys

Jim

Jim,
I think I have one similar. Ivory grip of some type, pinned star, no soviet symbol on pommel. Crossguards seem to be different on these early ones. Mine is dated 1947. Ivory Russian Dagger
I think yours is early Soviet version, Russian. Thats my best guess anyway.

Thanks Mikee.

At least there is more than one, as Manfred also pointed out.

I will take a photo of the ivory grip against the standard Hungarian AF model 1952 for people to see the similarities.

Jim

Since the hanger rings and eyelets were removed it is pretty obvious that the dagger has been modified for nonmilitary use. The scabbard fittings on Hungarian daggers were usually held by small screws in the back while the Soviets used brads on theirs.