{"product_id":"original-wwii-chinese-national-revolutionary-army-officer-s-dress-dagger-with-scabbard","title":"Original WWII Chinese National Revolutionary Army Officer’s Dress Dagger with Scabbard","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a scarce original WWII period Chinese National Revolutionary Army officer’s dress dagger of the type associated with officers of the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNational Revolutionary Army\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, or NRA, during the Second Sino-Japanese War and WWII period.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe National Revolutionary Army was the military arm of the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKuomintang\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, or Chinese Nationalist Party, from 1925 until 1947. Officer daggers of this general type are known in a wide range of quality levels and construction styles, reflecting considerable variation among surviving examples.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is one of the more attractive examples we have encountered, although it still shows the somewhat crude hand finished qualities often seen on these Chinese military edged weapons.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe dagger measures approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e15 1\/4 inches overall\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e when unsheathed and is fitted with a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e9 3\/4 inch double edged spear point blade\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The steel blade is nickel plated and magnetic, with dull edges.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe nickel plating is heavily worn and there is substantial pitting across the blade, giving it a well aged and service used appearance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe crossguard is constructed of gilt brass and measures approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2 1\/8 inches across\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. It sits somewhat loosely against the adjoining ferrule, which is secured by a single brass screw.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe dagger retains its original scabbard locking mechanism and release button, both of which remain functional.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe grip is covered in heavily worn rayskin and fitted with several rows of wire wrap. The wire is now loose in areas and was somewhat crudely applied even originally.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDecorative brass panels are fitted to both sides of the grip and continue toward the pommel. These are ornamented with Chinese \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eplum blossom\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e motifs, although there is considerable denting and wear to the brasswork.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe accompanying scabbard is constructed of nickel plated steel and retains gilt brass throat and drag fittings. Each fitting is secured by a single brass screw.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBoth scabbard fittings are decorated with matching \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eplum blossom\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e motifs, tying the design together with the grip furniture.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe scabbard shows heavy wear to the nickel plating, with substantial finish loss and age throughout, but remains structurally sound and complete.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall, this is a very interesting and uncommon Chinese officer’s dagger from the WWII period, with attractive gilt brass fittings, decorative plum blossom motifs, and its original matching scabbard.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlade Length: 9 3\/4 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlade Style: Double Edge Spear Point\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall Length: 15 1\/4 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCrossguard: 2 1\/8 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScabbard Length: 10 5\/8 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44937023881285,"sku":"ON13117A","price":375.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/914A903E-ADD3-42DE-B046-775B6E268DCC.jpg?v=1777484066","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-wwii-chinese-national-revolutionary-army-officer-s-dress-dagger-with-scabbard","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}