Please Help Me Identify a Japanese Imperial Officer Dagger

[TheGameDev]

Hello, I have an inherited blade that I'm trying to identify.

 

The story of the blade is that it came back with a WWII veteran and belonged to a Japanese Imperial Officer

The hilt and scabbard have an acorn motif with animal hoofs at two points.  The blade does not appear to have a maker's mark (that I can tell) but has filigree engraving and I can make out engraved foxes in a forest through the rust spots. The entire weapon from pommel to tip is about 18 inches long.

Any assistance identifying the blade, it's history, meaning, and potential value would be greatly appreciated.

I have many more images and close-ups of each part but could only upload these three images to start with.

[Conway]

Hi Rebecca, 

 

This is not Japanese. I would say this is a late 1800s/ early 1900s German hunting knife. The acorn motif is quite common to find on German hunting knives of the period. Are there any maker’s marks on the ricasso?

 

Conway 

[EdWolf]

I agree with Conway. It is a German Hirschfänger.

[TheGameDev]

Well crud, you guys are absolutely right. There are apparently a ton of variations of these. Thank you very much. I had no keywords to go on but the design is consistent.

 

Thank you.

If you like I can delete this post as the blade turns out not to be relevant to your forum.

[TheGameDev]

16 minutes ago, Conway S said:

Are there any maker’s marks on the ricasso?

Not that I can tell
 

[Conway]

Got it. These were made in large quantities so the quality of the fittings and the blades vary greatly. You would likely find some pieces similar to yours if you include the term “ D guard” in your searches.