It was common practice for WW2 Japanese Officers use old family blades as their side arms and carry them into battle. This is a very good Japanese Officers Sword with ancient family blade, WW2 shin gunto mounts & scabbard in as found, un-messed with condition. The sword has a fish skin handle bound with brown cord. It has its original copper and brass fittings including tsuba and floral menuki. The pommel is holed for lanyard ring. The tang is un-signed. The 25 ½” hand forged blade made in the mid 16th Century is Soshu / Chikzun School influence. The hamon is gunome midare with some togari ba (pointed) gunome, nie crystals with some sunagashi in yakiba. Some open grain has an old sword cut on one side of the blade no doubt as a result of battle use (illustrated inset in image 3). The cutting edge is sharp. The sword measures 36 ¾” overall length. It is carried in its steel scabbard with copper fittings and single hanging ring. It retains its original brown paint. The scabbard has a small laced leather field cover at the throat (illustrated inset in image 3). The price for this WW2 Japanese officer’s sword with ancient family blade includes UK delivery. Sn 14475:6
£1,995.00