To the Israeli people and their supporters, this magnificent and purposefully frightful-looking bayonet is an unmistakable symbol of the nation's unyielding aim to protect itself from those who want it "driven into the sea." The bayonet dating back to 1949 was presented by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to the comedian Alan King, who was a strong supporter of Israel until his death in 2004 at age 77. It was sold a year later by Mr. King's widow in an estate sale. The history here is strong and emotional, as the first order of David Ben-Gurion, Israel's first prime minister, was the formation in 1948 of the IDF, which included many Holocaust survivors. Bayonet is 16" long with a black and silver handle and a 9 1/2" silver blade. Its black sheath has a plaque reading "With the compliments of the Israeli Defence Forces 1949" and an engraving of the IDF crest. Hebrew writing on the handle and sheath also includes the number "49", for the year. EX with mild specks and scratches on sheath, blade immaculate. The IDF is the envy of every army in the world, winning every war it's fought. This bayonet is a profound part of that legacy. LOA.