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02HY003
Sleeve Dagger – Leather Sheath

The Sleeve Dagger (also known as the Bodkin or Nail Dagger) was a thrusting weapon developed by the British secret service SOE (Special Operations Executive) during the Second World War, primarily for undercover operations in civilian life. The one-piece design, made from a single piece of cylindrical steel without a parrying element, was intended to have a low profile so that it could be carried concealed and ideally even be overlooked or overpowered as an escape weapon in the event of capture. There was no standardized production pattern for the sleeve dagger. It was produced in single small and very small batches by various manufacturers. The first batch is said to have been made by a London jeweler with experience in the manufacture of letter openers.

Common features of all examples were the triangular ground blade and the simple nail-like construction. The handles could be completely round or slightly rectangular. The handle surfaces were sometimes completely smooth or, in some series, with checkering and sometimes additionally structured by a few circumferential grooves. There was almost always a circumferential recess in front of the knob-shaped end, into which a leather loop could be tied as a replacement for the missing cross-guard. The knob at the end of the handle either had the same diameter and cross-section as the handle or was slightly wider and protruded like a mushroom.

This sleeve dagger has a brown leather sheath with two slits to accommodate a leather strap for concealed carrying, so that they could be worn under clothing on the forearm (hence the name sleeve) or on the leg like a diving knife. The single long leather strap was looped around the arm or leg in a figure-of-eight shape.

A historically correct, plain carbon steel is used to manufacture the Sleeve Dagger. The choice was the excellent bearing steel GCr15 with 1% carbon. The finish is a dark acid wash, which creates an antique appearance. The blade is sharpened on three sides and has a hollow groove on each of the three sides. The dagger has a checkering and four circumferential grooves to improve the grip. The protruding mushroom knob is set off with a deep notch for optional attachment of a leather sling. Overall length: 7⅞”. Weight: 4.6 oz.