AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF A RAD OFFICERS DAGGER COMPLETE WITH LEATHER STRAPS.

A really nice example of this somewhat 'dainty' officers dagger (as compared to the RAD hewer!). U.K. until 1938 all members of the RAD wore the huge bowie bladed, hewer. The officers dagger was then introduced. A much smaller, slimline version whist retaining the overall design. All were made of a grey metal alloy and then heavily silver plated. Cream celluloid grips that were meant to look like ivory and a smaller 'Bowie' style blade. These daggers suffer from the silver plating lifting from the hilt area as age and oxidisation has affected them. To find one without ANY lifting to the plating is virtually impossible now. However, this is a really good example indeed. It has obviously not been touched or cleaned in a great many years and the high silver content in the plating has turned dark grey, as silver does. There is a little 'bubbling' in a very few places on the eagle hilt, but nothing missing. The cream celluloid grips are crack free but a little grubby with age. Scabbard is lovely with no damage or dents. Silver plating is all intact and there is a protected portion under the crossguard which still shows the original silver 'wash' finish.The blade is virtually mint with a couple of old and minor surface stains. The RAD motto is deeply etched into the obverse blade surface.This dagger was made by PD LUNESCHLOSS and has their oval logo featuring a fireman's helmet. This is NOT a common maker for these daggers, so an added bonus! There are a beautiful set of original brown leather hanging straps, which came with the dagger. Aluminium buckles, slides and clips which is typical for these. Leather a nice mid-tan colour and still very supple.A really nice and complete combination.