FAR EAST BRING BACK**WW2 Japanese NCO\\\'s Type 95 Katana Gifu Prefecture Swords Coop, Kokura Arsenal Marks, Scabbard Brought Home By British Cpl John Weddle Bowater 114th (Sussex) Field Regt Royal Artillery 25th Indian Div & Original Photo Of The Cpl. Sn Swords

**FAR EAST BRING BACK**WW2 Japanese NCO's Type 95 Katana Gifu Prefecture Swords Coop, Kokura Arsenal Marks, Scabbard Brought Home By British Cpl John Weddle Bowater 114th (Sussex) Field Regt Royal Artillery 25th Indian Div & Original Photo Of The Cpl. - 20827

The 25th Indian Infantry Division was an infantry division of the Indian Army during World War II which fought in the Burma Campaign. The 114th (Sussex) Field Regiment Royal Artillery was formed in May 1939 with two batteries. The Regiment served in the far east during WW2 as part of the 25th India Division and was re-designated 114th Jungle Field Regiment. Post war the Regiment was disbanded in January 1947. British Corporal John Weddle Bowater served with the 114th Field Regiment 25th India Div in India, Burma, Malaya & Egypt. Towards the end of WW2 the 25th Div took many Japanese army prisoners and many surrendered Officer’s swords. This excellent original Japanese NCO’s Katana was brought back from the Far East by Cpl Bowater and it remained in his possession resting un-touched leaning against his fire place at home. John passed away in 2002 and the sword was inherited by his Grandson. This sword, new to the market has the typical aluminium cast handle with lanyard ring and fully functioning scabbard retaining clip. The handle retains much of its original brown paint. Its fullered, 27 ½” blade is stamped on one side '18469' and with inspection mark. The blade is clean. The hilt is stamped with 1929-45 Kokura Arsenal mark and Gifu Prefecture Swords Cooperative / Union mark (see page 185 of Swords Of Imperial Japan by Dawson) together with inspection mark. It is complete with its original scabbard which has a single hanging ring. Its throat mount has faint number which looks like 44364. The scabbard has period hand applied paint marks on both sides. One side has ‘114th Field Regt 25th Indian Div’ the reverse has ‘India, Burma, Malaya & Egypt’, most likely all applied in the field by Cpl Bowater before return to his home in England. The sword is accompanied by an original black & white 4 ½” x 3 ¼” photograph of Cpl Bowater (in uniform) and an off duty colleague, which looks to have been taken in barracks somewhere in the Far East. The price for this sword worthy of further research regarding Cpl Bowater’s service includes UK delivery. Sn 20827

£1,225.00