Chiang Kai Shek was one of the most important political and military figures in 20th century China. He rose from the position of Commandant of the Whampoa Military Academy, the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (Kuomintang’s) military officer training center, to head of the party, so becoming China’s nominal leader. Ultimately the Communist Party (CCP), under Mao Tse Tung, ousted the Nationalists and the Nationalist government retreated to Taiwan which Chiang ruled, as President of the Republic of China, until his death in 1975.
The Chiang Kai Shek dagger accurately replicates the dress daggers presented by Chiang Kai Shek to graduates of the Whampoa Military Academy during his term as Commander of the academy.
The original dagger is housed in the Armed Forces Museum in Taipei (Taiwan), which has commissioned Hanwei to produce the replica pieces.
The dagger is beautifully crafted, with a highly polished carbon steel blade and gold-plated fittings. The spiral-wrapped faux-tortoiseshell handle incorporates a handle strap, with Chinese characters exhorting the graduates to “Unite as One Family”.
The stainless steel scabbard is also embellished with gold-plated fittings, and the dagger and scabbard incorporate a push-button scabbard lock.
The dagger is provided with a belt frog, again accurately replicating the original, and is housed in a handsome, plush-lined presentation box.