Japanese Militaria at Castle-Thunder.com

[type-14]

My Christmas present arrived late due to the snow storm up north (1883 commissioned officers dirk, modified variation) but I am more than happy with it but sure need to find out more about it as it a bit different from the dirks I already have.

I’ve enclosed a couple photos but this much I can tell you.

The hilt is covered in SAME (ray skin, real not plastic) while the SAYA is covered in SHAGREEN (shark skin). The gilt-finished fittings are not decorated as normally seen with sakura and leaves. However, I know that they can be plain or with a stripped finished I’ve just never seen one before like that. The thing that is throwing me off is that on the dirks I’ve seen or have the Mekugi that holds the hilt on is a Cherry Blossom or just a bamboo or wooden peg. This one has the 5-7-5 Kiti mon. I have both of Jim Dawson’s books and the soft cover of the Fuller and Geogory “Military Swords of Japan 1868-1945, but not a lot about the Dirks in them.

If anyone has any suggestions in figuring this one out I’m open to them.

Enjoy the photos.

[gwsiii]

That's very nice, I wish I knew a little more about them so I could buy some and study up. Trey
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I didn't pay to much for that old Arisaka, I just bought it a little bit too soon!