Police Dirk questions

[GoldenDrachen]

Hello everyone!

 

This morning I have received a police dirk, that I have exchanged for a couple of Japanese orders.

I have several questions that I would like to clarify for myself.

 

1.  Blunt blade. Does it mean that this piece more ceremonial rather than real weapon?

2. Backstrap design, it appears to be unusual. Custom job?

 

As always, I will  appreciate any comments on the subject

 

regards

Vitaly

 

 

 

 

 

[GoldenDrachen]

I guess we can dismiss my questions. Item is a fantasy piece. 

Looked good on photos.

Very wrong in reality.

 

 

[Bruce Pennington]

Thanks for posting this Vitaly, @GoldenDrachen, I was considering doing a post myself for info purposes.  

 

For everyone else - Vitaly put this up for discussion on This Warrelics Thread.  Another guy popped in with an identical one, saying he bought it from a dealer at a show, and 2 hours later, saw that the dealer had dropped another identical one on the table after he left!  Vitaly just received the dagger and with it in hand, doesn't feel it is legit.  

[Bridges]

@GoldenDracheni have a patrolman/sargent  short sword which is what your piece appears to be based off of as the dirks are typically WAY shorter than what you have. Maybe @Bruce Penningtoncan correct me but I’m pretty sure what you have is not the dirk but rather an attempt at a police short sword. As my model (which I will attach) is roughly the same length as yours. I’m not near my books so I can’t observe police dirks but if this isn’t a dirk and the short sword, there are several red flags. The habaki they used was German silver, not brass but i can divulge into the issues further if we can confirm this is not the dirk but the short sword.

*edit* I’m going to list the differences anyways: First thing to note, this model was NOT blunt. The Sargent/patrolman model was sharpened for use and was intended to be used, not blunt. The rank above Sargents were blunt but they were NOT this model, they were the type 19 parade swords with a half decorated backstrap and so on and so forth. Furthermore, a genuine patrolman sword had “German silver” habaki, not brass. That is not period correct. Thirdly, your scabbard is off. The bottom of it appears to be rounded instead of coming to a point. Fourth, your hilt does not sweep up like mine (that is how they secured the sword to themselves through the holes) there are several red flags here.

[John C]

@GoldenDrachen

Just for additional information, the pic is from Fuller and Gregory "Military Swords of Japan" page 66, and shows the police badge. Note the extra small rays in-between the larger ones. May help for future identification.

Regards,

John C.

[Kiipu]

9 hours ago, GoldenDrachen said:

1.  Blunt blade. Does it mean that this piece more ceremonial rather than real weapon?

 

Is the blade made of steel as in a magnet will adhere to it?

[Bruce Pennington]

Another one just showed up in Russian: Guns.ru Thread