Japanese Officer's Dirk

[shingen]

This not being my field of expertise I would like to ask if this dagger is original and if so what it is worth? It belongs to a good friend of mine and these are the only photo's I have for now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks.

[Rich S]

Looks like a pretty standard Japanese Naval Dirk IMHO. As to price, others will need to answer that or you could check similar sold items on ebay.

 

Rich S

[shingen]

Thanks Richard,

 

As far as my research got me so far is that it indeed looks to be quite a standard WWII Dirk, it seems to be missing it's star menuki's end the scabbard is made of wood while I have seen examples where it looks to be some kind of "leather". I have seen prices here on the forum of 225 but also seen prices over the 500 so am not sure what a dagger like this normally does. It being quite standard I would think not to much.

[Brian]

Not my field at all, but noticed this the other day. Seems a new publication that might be of interest to collectors

http://cgi.ebay.com/Japanese-Sword-Book ... 0672322011

 

Brian

[patrick7813]

  Brian said:

Not my field at all, but noticed this the other day. Seems a new publication that might be of interest to collectors

http://cgi.ebay.com/Japanese-Sword-Book ... 0672322011

 

Brian

Thanks for the heads-up Brian. I just purchased one. I've been looking for a resource with more detail than the half dozen or so pages in the Fuller and Gregory book.

 

Cheers,

[Kai-Gunto]

also got the book ,less info than in J&F`s book. Could live without it.

[shingen]

Thanks for the tip Brian.

 

Most of my books are on Antique blades, I only own John Slough's book. Which one are you referring to Thomas? Nice to see you here as well

[patrick7813]

I received this book today. My assessment is that it’s a very good complimentary reference to the Fuller and Gregory books. Whereas F&G has detailed textual descriptions of the various dirk patterns supported with a few black and white photos and drawings (it was published 25 years ago), this book provides color pictorial “summations” of the various patterns/variants described in those texts (i.e., to me it’s more helpful to see color references of the actual patterns/variants described by the text). In my view, it’s a nice addition to the resources available to collectors or students of these dirks (a bit pricey but nevertheless a valuable resource).

[Kai-Gunto]

Many of the dirks in the book has the fuchi mounted upside down.

[Geraint]

Don't get excited guys but check out this one.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-WWII-Japan ... 233wt_1396

[Kai-Gunto]

What a price

[patrick7813]

  gunto said:

Many of the dirks in the book has the fuchi mounted upside down.

Hum, interesting comment. I’ve owned many Japanese Naval Dirks over the years and held many more in my hands. I closely re-examined the pictures of the naval dirks on pages, 11-39 (I stopped after that page) of this book and all fuchi appear properly positioned (i.e. not upside down). Of those I own or have held in my hands and/or disassembled, it’s impossible to mount the fuchi upside down. To ensure my eyes weren’t playing tricks on me, I even went so far as to compare the pictures to the descriptions/pictures in F&G and see no further indication the fuchi of those pictured in this book to be mounted upside down. BTW, I have no financial interests resulting from any sales of this book.

[patrick7813]

  gunto said:

What a price

It's been lowered. It was $5,500!

[Kai-Gunto]

P. 47, p.65 ,p. 67,p. 71,

[patrick7813]

  gunto said:

P. 47, p.65 ,p. 67,p. 71,

OK, P.47 perhaps. Otherwise, P. 65, 67 and 71 seem correctly mounted. I don’t own any of these patterns and have not handled them either, so no firsthand knowledge. My source for the above observations is F&G. BTW, in my view, 4 possible hits don’t equate to “most”. It’s still a good reference book and discussion too.

[Kai-Gunto]

They are turned upside down.no doubt.

Also where the backstrap and fuchi meets is not plain. There is room for the backstrap in the fuchi ,only one way.

The rim is always outwards on the edge, like the rim on the backstrap.

[patrick7813]

I shared your concerns with the photographer of the photos in the book who in turn passed them onto the author and collector of the dirks pictured in the book. He provided me the following:

 

Gentlemen---I just checked out the fuchis on the four dirks in question (#47,65,67,71) and found them to be in their original, correct positions. Remember that most dirk fuchis have a bottom plate with an integral nakago ana that makes it impossible to mount upside down. Occasionally, you'll find a pattern whose fuchi is a simple band, allowing it to be mounted either way, so long as it fits properly. I still own all of the dirks in this book and have them in front of me---there's no substitute for hands-on inspection, and it's good to see you inspecting them so closely. Yours in collecting....Ken Banks

 

Cheers,

[Kai-Gunto]

Still 100% sure they are upside down. The rules of design.

[patrick7813]

and I defer to the man holding them in his hands........

[shingen]

Thank you all for the welcome information. I would love to believe 4500 dollars but that does not make much sense. Very interesting Gentlemen!

[Kai-Gunto]

  patrick7813 said:

and I defer to the man holding them in his hands........

 

This fuchi is the same type as them in the book. This sword has never been apart and the fuchi is mounted the way they schould.

I have hold alot of these in the past.