Japan “Royal Gift” Graduate Naval Dirk

Axis Powers > Japanese > Edged Weapons >

A Royal Gift - 1883 Pattern Imperial Japanese Naval Officer Dirk. These were given by His Majesty the Emperor to the top few graduating students of each class of: the Naval Academy, Naval Engineering School and Navy Accounting School. The 8 1/4 inch single fullered blade on this one looks great. Shirasaya hammon. It has some age grey towards to tip. The fit is tight and the tip is perfectly pointed. There are no markings on the tang. The blade rates Exc++. The habaki reads: “御賜” (Gift from the Emperor). The blade could have been by the smith Gassan SadaKatsu, though I cannot confirm. The black saya (scabbard) is wood based and covered in a black lacquered cowhide. The fittings are made of gilded brass. They show wonderful detail with several leaves and cherry blossoms throughout. Both screws remain intact and the top clip works well. The brass based gilded crossguard looks good. The ferrule and pommel cap are also brass based. They are nicely detailed with random pebbling a cherry blossom and leaves. One of the grip wires is a replacement, it was broken when this arrived from the Veteran’s family. The grip itself is a white pebbled ray skin and seamed to the reverse. It has two cherry blossoms over the mekugi (peg). It came with its original bag. A great example of a Specialty Royal Gift Japanese Naval Dirk.