The pommel shows the appropriate Soviet state seal with 15 scrolls representing the current number of republics in the USSR. The throat is maker-marked "ZIK" and serial numbered "Ch08637". Nice medium-toned Bakelite grip. There is a maker mark "4" lightly stamped on the leather just above the chape (lower brass fitting) of the scabbard, near its rivet. The dagger measures approx. 13.5" (34 cm) when in scabbard.

This piece is among the last Soviet Army daggers with the ZIK maker mark produced prior to the 1958 change in military uniform code. From that point on, daggers such

The pommel shows the appropriate Soviet state seal with 15 scrolls representing the current number of republics in the USSR. The throat is maker-marked "ZIK" and serial numbered "Ch08637". Nice medium-toned Bakelite grip. There is a maker mark "4" lightly stamped on the leather just above the chape (lower brass fitting) of the scabbard, near its rivet. The dagger measures approx. 13.5" (34 cm) when in scabbard.

This piece is among the last Soviet Army daggers with the ZIK maker mark produced prior to the 1958 change in military uniform code. From that point on, daggers such as this one were worn only for special occasions e.g. military oath ceremony or honor guard duty. Therefore, after 1958 very few Soviet Army or Air Force officers owned a dagger; the production had largely stopped because the existing stock was sufficient to fill the reduced needs (although a few tiny supplemental series of Army daggers with "ZIK" and later, "Bulat" maker mark were produced through the late 80s).

In excellent condition. The brilliant blade is virtually spotless showing practically none of the usual in-and-out wear; it is completely free of oxidation, pitting, notches or any other damage. The scabbard leather is supple, free of significant scuffs or wear, and still has beautiful healthy sheen. The brass parts are very well preserved, without noticeable scratches or nicks, and exhibit a very attractive even patina, no blemishes or oxidation spots (Note that unlike many of the earlier issues, this dagger never had gold plating on the brass parts - a cost-cutting measure at the time when the manufacturer was struggling to meet the demand and thus resorted to "cutting corners". This is described very well in the reference guide Soviet Dirks by Evgeniy Boldyrev et al, C. 2014).

Overall, this Soviet officer dagger is a truly superb piece: attractive, showing a lot of character and essentially flawless!
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