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ARTIFACT:
Wonderful, February 1944, dated Kamikaze Pilot Knife, "Special Attack Force". Kamikaze pilots and Special Attack Forces were suicide missions, a human-piloted missile or aircraft was more likely to hit the intended target and cause significant destruction. The training for Kamikaze's was intense and brutal, but the Empire of Japan justified it by explaining the need to prepare for the end of one's life. The Imperial Japanese Army developed kamikaze aircraft and were in the process of developing newer versions when the war ended. The designed aircraft was attached to the bottom of a larger vessel and then released near the target, at the last moment the pilot would speed up towards its target making it difficult to escape. Kamikaze missions became more frequent as Japan began losing aircraft and force, and were particularly common in the Pacific Theater late 1944 - 1945 and multiplied to include non-aerial attacks. Nearly 4,000 kamikaze pilots died during WWII and in the process were able to destroy three escort carriers, 14 destroyers, and nearly 30 additional smaller ships and war machines. This example of a Kamikaze pilot knife shows kanji (Japanese writing) on both sides of wood saya (scabbard) that reads: "SPECIAL ATTACK FORCE", "February 1944" the saya is topped with a ring of bone. The knife features a steel blade with a wood and bone handle and brass grommet for belt/hanger attachment.
VINTAGE:
Circa late WWII.
SIZE:
Approximately overall length: 10"; Handle: 3-3/8" in length x 1-1/16" in width; Blade: 6-1/4" in length x 1" in width; Scabbard: 6-5/8" in length x 1-1/16" in width.
MATERIALS / CONSTRUCTION:
Wood, bone, steel, ink, brass.
ATTACHMENT:
Brass ring/hole in handle.
MARKINGS:
Kanji (Japanese writing)
ITEM NOTES:
This is from a Japanese militaria collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. CON-KYB-CON-KKY-20-15 MFJJX14 LBBGEX10/15 SBBGEX10/20
CONDITION:
7+ (Very Fine+): The pilot knife shows minor to moderate wear/use, the handle shows remnants of something once affixed with a wood peg, the peg remains in the pin-sized hole, the blade is slightly loose within the handle, but firmly attached, the kanji is in nice condition showing nearly all the ink original ink details, overall very fine example.
GUARANTEE: As with all my artifacts, this piece is guaranteed to be original, as described.
