Mohammedan Dagger

Yataghan or yatagan (Mohammedan dagger) with a plain bone and elaborately-decorated gold hilt (handle). Curved silver blade has decorative engraving on one side with the word/name "AGADIR". The other side of the blade is plain with an Arabic symbol. Encased in a decorated curved gold sheath with a star engraved on one side, and two rings attached on either side of opening. Stored in decorative hinged wood box with elaborate wood and mother-of-pearl inlay on all visible interior and exterior surfaces. Interior bottom of case has green velvet insert fitted to the shape of the sword. Star design on interior and exterior of case matches that on sword's sheath. Case comes with small key for locking. Presented to FDR on January 22, 1943, at Casablanca, Morocco, by the Sultan of Morocco, Sidi Mohammed. FDR Library Museum Collection, MO 1943.190.1.