Croatia, Republic. An Air Force Officer's Parade Dagger, War Of Independence Period 1991-1995

(Hrvatsko ratno zrakoplovstvo = HRZ). Dagger with a high quality, polished nickel-plated steel blade, magnetic, with sharp edges and a very sharp tip, the edges bevelled on both sides, the blade exhibiting a few marks common to extraction from the scabbard and measuring 255 mm in length. The 100 mm wide crossguard in silvered metal, the obverse designed with the Croatian Air Force insignia and incorporating an imitation ruby in the centre square of the insignia, the reverse of the crossguard plain. Polished wooden grip forming the handle, with eleven recessed rows, the rows wrapped in a single strand of copper-coloured twisted wire, the adjoining tilted square pommel resting upon a circular base that butts the wooden handle, both the pommel and the neck base in silvered metal, the obverse of the pommel bearing the Croatian coat-of-arms in gilt metal with red, white, light blue and dark blue enamels within a framework of three recessed rules. Wrapped around the handle in the appropriate fashion is a portapee, the cord in fine silvered bullion wire in a thatched pattern, finished with a 31.5 mm wide x 51 mm long knot in silvered bullion wire, the base of which is wrapped in multiple horizontal strands, the head wrapped in multiple vertical strands. The dagger measures 397 mm in length overall, with scattered contact marks on the metal fixtures. The body of the accompanying scabbard is wrapped in royal blue pebbled leather, with three silvered metal fixtures, the chape bearing the Croatian Air Force insignia with an imitation ruby in the centre square of the insignia and finished with a ball finial, the central band and the locket bearing five recessed rules, both of which incorporate a silvered ring for the dagger hangers, the locket with a throat for inserting of the dagger, the scabbard measuring 282 mm in length. The dagger is accompanied by its independent dagger hangers, both straps with silver and black embroidered uppers, along with black leather backers, each of which measures 20 mm in width, the adjoining buckles, clips and other fixtures in silvered metal. Also included is a badge bearing the Croatian Air Force insignia in silvered metal and incorporating an imitation ruby in the centre square of the insignia, maker marked "MET...GAL ZAGREB" on the reverse, measuring 67 mm wide x 28 mm in height, with both its push pin points intact. Overall, of very high quality manufacture, near mint. All items are presented in their fitted case, wooden-framed, the exterior wrapped in a royal blue paper with a simulated cracked leather-look on the lid and sides, the bottom in white paper, the lid bearing the Croatian Air Force in silver-coloured ink, the inside lid in padded off-white nylon, the base with a white card frame and housing a plastic insert with a red felt finished upper, the insert incorporating two independent recessed areas for the dagger in its scabbard and the hangers, white satin strap corner support, dual clasp closures, dual-hinged, measuring 475 mm in width x 270 mm in height x 53 mm in depth, exhibiting scuffing on the lid, wear that exposes the underlying wooden frame in the corners, along with light soiling on the bottom, case better than very fine. Very scarce.

Footnote: The Croatian Air Force is a branch of the Croatian Armed Forces whose primary task is to ensure the sovereignty of the airspace of the Republic of Croatia and to provide aviation support to other branches in the implementation of their tasks in joint operations. It is also the carrier and the organizer of the integrated anti-aircraft defence system of the Republic of Croatia.