Japanese Police Dagger/Dirk

[Ryukyutunnelrat]

Hey guys,

Just picked up this Japanese Police Dagger/Dirk and wanted to know if it was pre WWII or WWII Period. The blade seems to have alot of dried grease on it and nice hamon. Thanks.

[Ryukyutunnelrat]

Photo of blade and handle

[Ryukyutunnelrat]

last ones

[G.J.B]

Here are a few pictures of my Japanese Police dagger for comparison.

regards,
Gary

[G.J.B]

2 more pictures.

[G.J.B]

Last picture.

[Ryukyutunnelrat]

Gary, thanks for the photos, so would mine be late war compared to yours?

[G.J.B]

Sorry but I do not have the knowledge to comment on the difference between our two Japanese Police daggers.

Regards,
Gary

[W.Unland]

These were used by police NCO's from the Meiji era through the end of the war, some 60+ years. I don't think that there is any way to tell the date of manufacture, but I am ONLY a police collector not a sword expert. Maybe the blade guys know. That first example is crude compared to the second. The hilt seems to be cast whereas the second seems to be stamped brass. The ray skin wrap on the second is also much higher quality than the leather wrap. Whether that is due to local manufacturing variations or date I can only speculate. To be honest the only type I have owned is identical to the second shown. I think it would be a mistake however to think crude manufacture makes it late war. Cops were NOT particularly high in the social order particularly in the beginning and insignia and equipment were of very poor quality in the early years of the national police force.

W.Unland