WW2 1943 Japanese Officer\'s Type 98 Shin Gunto Arsenal Katana Sword With Dated & Smith Signed Tang ‘TAKA MASA’, Tasseled Cord, Scabbard & Expert Assessment Swords

WW2 1943 Japanese Officer's Type 98 Shin Gunto Arsenal Katana Sword With Dated & Smith Signed Tang ‘TAKA MASA’, Tasseled Cord, Scabbard & Expert Assessment. Sn 20229 - 20229

An original WW2 dated Japanese Officer's Sword with signed tang. The sword has been assessed by UK Japanese sword expert Bill Tagg. A copy of his hand written notes and illustrations accompany the sword. In extracts from his notes he states “A Type 98 shin gunto army officer’s sword, blade appears to be a Showa-To oil tempered arsenal blade with no Showa or seki stamps and no visible hamon or temper line. Blade is heavily scratched with war time use but in bright condition, signed by ‘TAKA MASA’ real nameYasuda Yoshi taro born 1912, listed working as a gunto army smith. Very light well balanced good shape. Scabbard shows signs of heavy use not much paint left and no gilt on brass & copper mounts. Has unusual non standard khaki suspension belt with brass mounts on ashi ring. War time tsuba with original arsenal matching seppa no’s 208 same as tsuba. Tsuka intact & tidy has broken locking catch (end missing) but has sarute loop with non regulation rank tassel (looks old). A nicely shaped gunto sword, in need of a blade polish”. In his illustrations Bill translates the tang signature and September 1943 date. He describes the cutting edge as 26” and total length 34 ½”. He also identifies red ink arsenal assembly marks on both sides of the tang. He also describes and illustrates other blade measurements and characteristics (illustrated in image 2). The price includes UK delivery. Sn 20229

£1,000.00