This Chinese made dagger was made for one of the USMC company (100 men) of U.S. Embassy Guards in Shanghai, China, circa 1938-1941. Measuring 14 1/2 inches overall, this dagger is fitted with a 9 5/8 long double edged single fuller blade, with no maker's markings. The short dual-quillion crossguard is brass construction, and the hilt shows a black and yellow faux tortoise shell pattern grip material, wire wrapped and covered with a set of engraved, repoussed and enamel accented brass panels. Colored in with red and blue enamel, the panels feature a globe motif on the pommel, with a dragon flying among clouds covering most of the surface and a stand of flags near the pommel. The flags are the Nationalist Chinese on the viewer's right, and the American flag on the left, with the Nationalist "sunburst" logo in top center. The sheath is nickel plated brass, with brass furniture decorated similar to the hilt panels, with a dragon on the tip and an eagle, globe and anchor (similar to but not matching the USMC logo) on the throat.

Fine. The bright polish blade shows some mild spotting, with a well aged patina on the brass components and mild wear on the sheath. Small screws are absent from the hilt ferrule and the sheath throat. Mild handling marks are present overall.