CAPTURED / SURRENDERED U.S. ARMY SOLDIER BRING BACK**WW2 Era 1935-1940’s Japanese Katana Long Sword Blade In Protective Honoki Wood Shira Saya Resting Mounts With Ink Signature To ‘E.W. Lusted St Louis’ & Expert Assessment. Sn 21346 Swords

**CAPTURED / SURRENDERED U.S. ARMY SOLDIER BRING BACK**WW2 Era 1935-1940’s Japanese Katana Long Sword Blade In Protective Honoki Wood Shira Saya Resting Mounts With Ink Signature To ‘E.W. Lusted St Louis’ & Expert Assessment. Sn 21346 - 21346

This Japanese Katana has been assessed by UK Japanese sword expert Bill Tagg. A copy of his hand written assessment notes accompany this Tanto. In his assessment he states “Katana long sword blade mounted in original shira saya resting mounts, dating to 1935-1940’s period. Just over 24” it is minimum length for a katana. It is in bright condition, looks like its been re-polished by a previous owner in the past (half done). This is obscuring the work in the hamon & grain if any. Typical seki / mino pointed gunome hamon which looks edged in nioi crystals very hazy. Covered in fine scratches obscuring view of workmanship. There are 2 points of view with this blade. It is either a low grade gendaito, possible special order, they usually made 2 and picked the best which was then signed and mounted for the client. The remaining one was left unsigned put in shira saya either left in rack or sold off to trade dealers who mount and sell on. The other view is, it’s a good quality showa to bar stock oil quenched blade made for an army contract and never mounted. Its poorly finished tang would indicate this. Strangely the shira saya has been a high quality item, don’t usually go to this much effort for a showa to. It also looks like its had an original saya Gaki (ink attribution inscription) which is mostly missing (see image 3). A war souvenir by a U.S soldier who has written his name on it in ink ‘E.W Lusted St Lois’. An interesting sword needing a professional polish to see what’s in it”. In his illustrations of the blade he adds “cutting edge is just under 61.5 cms, total length is just under 81 cms. He also describes other blade and tang characteristics and dimensions which can be seen in the images. The price for this Katana with original expert assessment worthy of further research re the named Soldier includes UK delivery. Sn 21346

£1,095.00