I'm looking for information on this Polish dagger. Thank you.

Looks like dagger for private purchase with ivory grip (little craks on the handle)but I have to say i havent seen that etching. We need Jim for opinion. If it is true period dagger looks amazing and catch of the millenium.Congratulation Ted

Hello,
I am not familiar with this etching.
But over all this is the most beautiful Polish dagger I have ever seen.

Congratulation.
Janos

We need a lot more photos, but right off hand I would say replacement blade in original fittings. I would like better photos of the grip.

Jim

Very interesting dagger!
I'd like to see some close-up pics of the etched floral design and grip.
Is it maker marked (Borowski, Mann ...)?
I like the initials attached to the scabbard and hangers!

Close-ups of the Polish dagger.

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This is interesting.

I believe the bronze initials are JP and stand for Josef Pilsudski (Polish Field Marshall) and later virtual dictator (1926–1935) of the Second Polish Republic.

I would say it is JC.
You think there is a chance that this was Pilsudski's dagger? ;-)

Hi my friend Paweł who is antique dealer Jim knows him has a theory that these type of daggers were made for private purchase with initials etc.I posted before pics of dagger with ugly etching, I didnt buy it because of it but my friend give me warranty this dagger was from veteran and was made for private purchase thats why etching was so extraordinary .I would say that your dagger was made privately for navy officer with initials TC or JC .It is interesting for tracing the owner of this dagger.Ted

No, I don't think it was Piluski's dagger. But, it is an Army dagger and perhaps all the Army daggers had these initials. Just my opinion. I have never seen another Army only Navy. Have you seen any Army daggers like this with initials on the scabbard?

Before WWII there were only two types of daggers, Navy and Army. According to Prof. Z. Wesolowski(www.polishmilitaria.com)this is the Army dagger.

Actually, the polish authorities I know maintain that prior to WWII there were Navy, Air Force, and Armored forces. This was primarily the Tank Corps where the close quarters cause them to not carry swords.

Up to 1937, All daggers were gold plated. In 1937, the Air Force and Armored forces changed to silver plate.

A person who went to this extreme (and I am not satisfied that is the case), but if they went to this extreme, they would have put an anchor on it which was Polish tradition. Also, the initials I have seen are all on pilots daggers and they are all etched into the blade ricasso.

So, my guess, is it is Air Force or Armored as they were particular with the initials.

So, does anyone think the the blade has two different ages? We have what looks like a mint etch on one side and a more used blade on the ricasso, etc.

Is it the photography that is confusing me.

Jim

Jim, Thanks for your reply. I'm more confused than ever. I've had this dagger stored in a handgun case for 20 years so this last April I decided to see if I could get some information on it and found this web site www.polishmilitaria.com and contacted this Prof. Z. Wesolowski. All he told me that it was an Army dagger nothing more. Currently I found this forum which has been very helpful. Where do I go from here? Put up more pictures? Herman

I do not believe more photos are necessary.

1st, This does appear to be original 100% especially since you have had it for 20 years.

2nd, it is probably either an Air Force or Armored forces dagger. The problem with the polish daggers from 1924 to 1937 is that the Navy and the Air Force (including the Tank units) are almost totally identical. You have the odd navy with the anchor on the revers of the dagger. So, without the anchor, I assume all are Air Force.

On your statement that only Navy and Army officer daggers existed before the war, please advise the good doctor that I have the original photo of the dedication of the Lodz Air Field in 1927 with some of Polands most famouse pilots all of whom are wearing daggers. All other experts I know and the Polish military book of orders show the dggers authorized in 1924/5.

There is an excellent book by Leszek Zachuta which was sold at every book store in Poland. This would be an excellent start for you.

Ask more questions.

Jim

3rd, the ivory grip looks original and correct, which was not my impression from the first photos.

So, in my opinion, this is a very fine Air Force dagger with a factory custom blade.

I would love to have this in my collection.

2 links : first with names and some history about polish pilots :
http://www.polishairforce.pl/menuzyciorysy.html
second bookstore where i found Zachuta book
http://www.polishbookstore.com/
Regards Ted