Description:

IMPERIAL JAPANESE NAVY PILOT'S DAGGER, SURVIVAL FLAG AND PHOTO GROUP
A fine group of items attributed to an Imperial Japanese Navy pilot, includes: a ‘tanto', or dagger, 5.75 in. blade, 9.75 in. overall, the blade inscribed with a horimono of three kanji. The blade is hand-forged, showing a hamon along the cutting edge. The tanto is fitted with a wood tsuka (grip) with black lacquer decorations, and housed in a matching lacquer-decorated wood scabbard, both bearing kanji inscription, purportedly including the date ‘Dec. 26, 1943', the verse ‘Serve With One Heart Alone', etc. The blade has not been removed from the tsuka to examine the tang. Shows a few scattered spots of oxidation to the blade, otherwise in very good to fine condition overall. WITH: A rare pilot's silk survival ‘float flag', 38 x 30.5 in., with strips of kapok sewn into the edges, allowing the flag to float on the surface of the water and be seen by rescuers in the event of a crash-landing by sea. The corners are reinforced at the hoist edge at fitted with string ties. Soiled overall, otherwise in very good condition. WITH: Three original photos, the first 5.25 x 3.75 in. b/w, showing a group of five pilots in flying gear and life belts standing in front of a Nakajima E4N reconnaissance seaplane. The second image, 4.25 x 2.75 in. b/w, shows four Mitsubishi F1M reconnaissance seaplanes on a beach, with a pilot in a flying cap standing in front of the nearest aircraft. The final image, 4.5 x 6.25 in. b/w, shows a soldier with striped NCO's armband and sword, standing on a field. This photo bears a kanji inscription on the verso, not fully translated by us but including the date ‘Showa 18', or 1942. All three images show album mounting remnants on the verso, while the pilot's group photo shows some silvering at the top edge. Five pieces.

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March 26, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
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$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000