Original China WWII Republic of China Military Academy Cadet Ceremonial Dagger With Scabbard Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely example of an extremely rare Pre-WWII / wartime era Chinese Cadet Dagger. The Republic of China Army Officer School, previously known as the Whampoa Military Academy, officially opened on May 1, 1924 under the Kuomintang. Sun Yat-sen delivered a speech during the inaugural ceremonies. Chiang Kaishek was the President of the Chinese Republic at the time. The school produced many famous Chinese military commanders of the 20th Century!

This is a example is very similar of the type of dress dagger that was approved for wear by officers of the Chinese National Revolutionary Army (國民革命軍) at the time of the Sino-Japanese war of 1937-1945. Often abbreviated as the NRA, the group was the military arm of the Kuomintang (KMT, or the Chinese Nationalist Party) from 1925 until 1947.

These cadet officer’s daggers were both finely and crudely made, with a great deal of variation apparent among surviving examples. This example is one of the finer variety, and measures approximately 15″ with the scabbard on. Unsheathed, it is 15 1/4″ long with a 10″ nickel-plated steel blade, magnetic, with dull edges. The plating is retained very well, with only a bit missing near the tip and on the edges, and a few spots of oxidation. Overall it is very good and shiny, with just a tiny bit of tip damage.

Gilt brass crossguard that sits tight against the adjoining ferrule, which is held in place with a single brass screw. It has a functional scabbard lock button, which releases the dagger. The handle is fabricated with a ray skin grip with decorative brass panels on each side, which come together at the pommel. These show multiple Chinese plum blossoms, a motif which is repeated on the pommel.

The dagger comes with its nickel-plated steel scabbard, which has gilt brass fittings for the throat and drag, each held firmly in place by a single brass screw. Both fittings have Plum Blossom embossed decorations which match the handle.

Overall a nice condition rare WWII Chinese Army Cadet Officer Dagger!

Specifications:

Blade Length: 10 1/4″
Blade Style: Double Edge Spear Point.
Overall length: 15 1/4“
Crossguard: 2 1/8”
Scabbard Length: 11″