Original Item: Only One Item Available. This is a very nice lightly used example of an Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) Model 1883 Officers Dress / Parade Dirk, complete with its brass-mounted leather scabbard. As with Naval Dirks in Europe, they were given to officers when they were first commissioned, and were not intended to be any type of functional weapon. They began to be issued starting in the 1880s, and their use continued until the end of WWII.

In design, it is similar to a small Japanese Tanto, but of much lesser quality. The hilt is an ornate cast copper or bronze example, with very nice pebbling on the pommel and collar. It has a very nice stingray skin grip, with the original brass wire binding fully intact. The hilt is held in place by a wooden cross pin, which is fitted on each pin with a brass Cherry Blossom pin stuck into the wood.

The blade is in very good condition for the age, showing honest wear from storage, and a bit of oxidation. Guard shows wear to the original gold washed finish. The guard is no longer tight with the handle and blade, it has a little movement to it. Overall, the dagger is in very nice condition. The top of the guard has what appears to be a maker mark which we have been unable to identify.

The scabbard (saya) is brass-mounted leather, with the same cherry-blossom motifs as seen on the grip mounts, on finely pebbled backgrounds. The brass still retains some of its gold wash. The leather is in good condition, and not dry, with the original stitching strong and intact. The finish has chipped and flaked in areas. It has a lock that can attack to the hilt, however it does not grip anymore.

A very nice example, ready to add to your Japanese edged weapon collection!

Measurements:
Blade Length: 8 3/8 inches
Handle Length: 4 1/4 inches
Total Length: 13 1/4 inches
Sheath Length: 12 inches
Total Length in Scabbard: 16 1/8 inches