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Subject:1926 RCMA Cadet Ceremonial Short Sword
Posted By: Steve Gridley Sat, Dec 19, 2020 IP: 96.244.150.12

I thought I would share what I believe is an original 1926 Republic of China Military Academy (Republic of China Army Officer School) cadet ceremonial short sword.

The RCMA, previously known as the Whampoa Military Academy officially opened on May 1, 1924 under the Kuomintang. Sun Yat-sen delivered a speech during the inaugural ceremonies. Chiang Kai-shek was the President of the Chinese Republic at the time. The school produced many famous Chinese military commanders during the 20th century.

Grooved blade on both sides, brass and shagreen-look resin type handle, and gold inlay on the blade. Western influence can be seen in the “1926” numerals on the handle. The blade measures 24.9 cm long. The entire sword measures 36.3 cm long. The scabbard is a coated steel with brass end fittings. Overall length in scabbard is 39.3 cm.

Chinese writing is on both sides of the handle (Help with translation would be appreciated). I believe the first line of gold inlay reads ″Accomplish Benevolence″ and the second line reads ″Accomplish with Small Knife (or blade)″.

Please correct me if I got some of this wrong.







Subject:Re: 1926 RCMA Cadet Ceremonial Short Sword
Posted By: I.Nagy Sun, Dec 20, 2020

Picture 1-2,
成仁  - Die for a righteous cause
成功  - Success

Picture 3,
蒋中正賜 - Given by Jiang Zhongzheng (Chiang Chung-cheng)*

* a.k.a. Chiang Kai-shek 蒋介石

Picture 4,
黄埔軍校第伍期 - Huangpu (Whampoa) Military Academy 5th Phase
成功 1926 成仁  (See above)

With regards,
I.Nagy

Subject:Re: 1926 RCMA Cadet Ceremonial Short Sword
Posted By: Steve Gridley Mon, Dec 21, 2020

The correction and translation are greatly appreciated.


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