China, Republic. A National Revolutionary Army Officer Dagger with Scabbard & Hanger

Often abbreviated as the NRA, the group was the military arm of the Kuomintang (KMT, or the Chinese Nationalist Party) from 1925 until 1947. With a large degree of variation in the overall quality of these daggers produced, this example 40 cm in overall length with scabbard on and a blade length of 27 cm respectively. Blade is in nickel plated steel displays no rush, only standard wear from insertion into scabbard. The gilt brass crossguard that sits tight against the adjoining ferrule, which is missing its single brass screw. The handle is manufactured with a ray skin grip, with 7-8 wire wrappings, 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. Accompanied by nickel-plated steel scabbard, which has gilt brass fittings for the throat and drag, held in place by a single brass screw. Both fittings have Plum Blossom embossed decorations which match the handle. The scabbard exhibits rush on reverse and moderate rust along frog. The scabbard itself is held in a very nice belt hanger/frog, retaining both belt loops with buckles, very fine overall.