Red Cross Officers Dagger & Portepée
Price: $1595
BUY / RESERVE THIS ITEMDescription: This Red Cross Officer piece is in absolutely near mint overall condition. The nickel plating throughout the hilt, pommel and scabbard are flawless and match well. The cross guard is a fine example, having the plain raised oval image on the reverse, with the obverse featuring the Red Cross eagle with raised swastika on his chest and clutching a Geneva Conference Cross. The grip is a pleasing orange color remaining in perfect condition. There is a portepee that appears original to this piece in beige cellon and is really the preferred look on these Daggers..
The blade remains in pristine condition being completely bright and having all of its original cross graining. The leather washer is in place. The scabbard is straight throughout. It has crisp pebbling to the dual panels on both sides. The plating is 100%. The smooth carrying bands feature the ramps with the rectangular shaped clearance holes. The throat is retained by two dome head side screws that remain unmolested. This is a choice example of a Red Cross Leaders dagger where many of them have grip, pommel & plating issues, this one is near Mint!
Background: The Red Cross Officer and Social Welfare Patterns were instituted in 1938. The hilts are produced of a pot metal base, having muted nickel-plated surfaces. The crossguard features an oval medallion which bears a Red Cross eagle. The bird is a closed-winged design, clutching a Red Cross symbol in the talons. A vaulted swastika is superimposed on the bird’s chest. The grip is a celluloid variety being a yellow color, usually toned to varying orange shades. The scabbards are steel with matching nickel plating over pebbled panels. There are two variations. Those with rectangular-shape eyelets on the carrying bands are Red Cross, while those having round holes in the eyelets are Social Welfare. Blades are not found with maker-marks
