J012358 "AIKUCHI" DAGGER WITH U.S. POSSESSION CERTIFICATE. A small dirk or dagger without a guard but having a wooden grip and scabbard, with its "liberator’s" possession certificate. With an overall length of 14 3/8", the dirk separates into a 9 5/8" long, tapering, oval-shaped scabbard, made from two sections of wood, hollowed to their interiors to accommodate the blade and then glued together, and a 4 3/4" grip to an 8 7/8" blade. A column of kanji characters are incised to one side of the scabbard. The oval-shaped grip, which is apparently from the same piece of wood as the scabbard, has a "Mekugi" (wooden securing peg) which passes through both of its sides and the tang within, locking it into place. The slightly curved, single-edged blade is fitted with a brass "Habaki" (blade collar) to its ricasso, which exhibits the typical "cat scratches." Its "Mune" (back edge) is "Iori"-shaped (with a raised ridge along its length). The pointed blade has, along its left side, a long, narrow groove to it. Light surface scratching and spotting, as well as some light pitting, may be seen to either side of the blade. The grip and scabbard are also lightly surface scratched and soiled, and the scabbard is beginning to separate along its seams. The accompanying possession certificate is comprised of two sheets of 8" x 4 7/8", moderately age yellowed paper, each stapled together at their upper left corners, each with a vertical and horizontal fold line. The typed information to both of the sheets is identical, and indicates that the bearer was entitled to retain as a souvenir, "One (1) Jap Hari Kari Knife." The first sheet additionally has an official signature, an "Apr 15 1945" red ink stamp to its upper right, and, to its lower left, a triangular ink stamp with "Examined in the Field by Joint Intelligence" within it, and "For Material Only" beneath it. 

GRADE ***3/4                             PRICE $595.00

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