Chinese Nationalist Air Force Dagger

Status: Sold · Region: China, East Asia, Tibet · Type: Daggers

A classic example of a circa 1930s Chinese Nationalist Air Force officers dirk or dagger. These daggers were made in a myriad of different styles and variations, in both long and short versions.

They are classically distinguished by the quality of the eagle casting on the grip, in this case of very fine quality inset with two red glass eyes. The blade on this example in fine condition as well, with no rust or looseness.

This particular example is a rare variation with the Chinese symbols cast into the crossguard. On some rare variations there can be found inscriptions along the blade, but in this case the inscription is directly cast into the spread eagle crossguard.

The Chinese Nationalist Air Force is often an overlooked part of the war effort in China during World War II. At the start of hostilities during the Sino-Japanese War started on 7 July 1937, Nationalist (Republic of China) could field 230 combat aircraft. During the first phase of the war until 1939, the ROC Air Force conducted aerial bombing of Japanese formations though with indifferent results and carried out leaflet-dropping raids over Japanese cities. The Japanese bombing raids were also fiercely contested, sometimes with significant Japanese losses. After suffering heavy losses in the Battle of Wuhan in October 1938, most ROC air force units were withdrawn for reorganisation and training.

Initially during the war when the U.S. entered, the ROC air force was significantly depleted but by the end of the war through U.S.and Soviet support to the ROC air force, the pilot corp, and air force were rebuilt and contributed to the war effort.

The few Chinese Nationalist Air Force daggers that survive are a rarity on the market, particularly in distinct variations such as this example.