Object: Early Japanese Imperial Navy dirk, recorded in the previous Yamazakura catalogue as an early version of the 1873 naval pattern.

The earlier catalogue further noted that this form is discussed by Fuller and Gregory in their reference work on Japanese military and civil swords and dirks as an early and scarce variant.

Dating and identification: The 1873 designation is used here as a pattern/type identification. The classification and scarcity statement follow the earlier Yamazakura record and its cited reference; they should not be taken as an independently established manufacture date for this individual example.

A strong specialist object within the development of Japanese naval dress sidearms.

Condition: Please study the photographs carefully; they form an integral part of the description.