NAVY 2nd MODEL 1938

 

The Navy dagger has two models and are identical to each other, except for the flame- shaped pommel for the first model and the national eagle with folded wings for the second model. The metal fittings of the dagger are normally constructed in brass. The gilt wire-wrapped grip of the dagger is made of horn or celluloid, and varies in color from white- yellow to orange. It is also possible to find the dagger with an ivory grip, that was the choice of the purchaser, who had to pay almost the same price for an ivory grip, than for a complete dagger. Therefore many officers, took there first model Navy dagger and just change the pommel. Sometimes they only took the ivory grip of their first model and put it on their new second model. The crossguard shows a fouled anchor on the obverse side and the release button on the reverse. The blade can be found plain or engraved, but most of all it is found engraved. The scabbard can be found hammered or engraved, that is most found and known as the lightning bolt scabbard. The scabbard is made of brass and shows two suspension bands of oak leaves, each band has a ring to put the hangers on. The dagger has no blade motto and is 37 cm long. The dagger has a 42 cm aluminum portepee. These portepees will appear gold in color after years of prolonged exposure to light and air. The hangers for this dagger are two separate detachable, black moiré straps with fasteners at both ends. The buckles on the hangers are oval and shown a lion head. The clips and buckles on the hangers are normally gold colored. Numerous variations of the first and second model Navy dagger exist, and therefore I can only recommend you again the books of Thomas M Johnson and Thomas T Wittmann.