The "large number" looks rather small to me. Also, the ones I see aren't identical. I don't think they're all very old (where "very" would be late 19th century, before the Japan takeover). These are still made; worn on special occasions rather than everyday wear for upper-class women, but still made to be worn. (Traditional dress is widely owned in Korea, though accessories like this are less common than the basic hanbok (set of traditional clothes).)

I'd expect to see very, very few from before the late 19th century, moderate numbers from the late 19th, few from the Japanese colonial period, and plenty from after independence (from Japanese rule, 1945). The newer ones won't be sold as antique except as fakes. The good new ones sell for more than most antique ones; I have seen some new ones advertised as antique at very high prices.

A comparison with puukkos is appropriate (both considering the above discussion about them, and them providing a functional comparison): a traditional design, still made, still sold new.

I'd guess my newest one to be 20th century, post 1945 (it was described as 19th century, possibly British - I don't believe either).

As far as being "weapons" goes, these are more dress accessories. But old Korean knives of all types are hard to find (I did find an old Korean kitchen knife - also mis-labelled.)

A further thought: I think that the cruder ones (like my new one) are almost all, if not completely all, modern (post Japanese colonial period, or possibly during it). These are originally (pre-Japanese colonial period) strictly upper-class items - quality matters in this case.

On the other hand, these were probably illegal for lower classes to wear, so it wasn't necessary to have a fancy one to show that one was upper class, just to have one. But on the other other hand, what impoverished upper class family wants to display their impoverishment so publicly? Thus, I think they are recent, after the old class system disappeared.

Some better pictures of mine, showing the inscription. I don't know why way the inscription is mean to be read. I think with the point of the blade up.

By your better pictures you can see that this knife have had a "life" before. Nice one, I like it :)

hello, i am new to this forum.

i would like to know if this knife i have is an eunjangdo (korean lady dagger).

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/attach...id=98525&stc=1

if it is (which i am pretty sure) then how old do you think it is?

the metal is unlikely silver i think.

i also think there is a hook missing (usually these have hooks to tie to clothes or put a string through so as to hang around the neck.

any comments would be most appreciated.

regards
richard tomlinson