Original Item: Only One Available. Purchased recently at a military show, this is a very nice service used wartime production Japanese Naval officer Katana in the Pattern 1937 Kai-Gunto setting. A Kai-Guntō (海軍刀, naval sword) is a weapon and symbol of rank used by the Imperial Japanese Navy during the WWII Period. This is a very nice example with some real signs of use, complete with damaged scabbard that is missing the lower fittings. Many of these that we get are almost unissued, so it's great to see one that saw actual use.

The blade is in very good use condition, with an edge which is still quite sharp. There are however chips, dents, and nicks on the last third of the blade closest to the tip, which also shows just a bit of bending. This damage is consistent with the blade being struck on something hard and metal, such as another blade. Blade length is 24 ½ inches and overall length 35 inches. It has a factory forged stainless steel blade, with a single mounting hole in the standard long Futsu 普通 (regular) shaped Nakago (tang) with a kiri (cut) nakago-jiri. The tang itself is marked a Naval ANCHOR stamp, indicating manufacture at Toyokawa Naval Arsenal (豊川海軍工廠, Toyokawa kaigun kōshō). There is no signature (MEI), as is usual for later war pieces. There there are the painted Japanese numbers 五 五 (5 5) on the tang.

The blade retains virtually all of the original factory finish and simulated straight (sugu) hamon. There are are just a few minor scratches and scuff marks on the surface, aside from the previously mentioned edge damage. There is also a simulated yokote, and given the total absence of rust on the blade, we believe it to be made from Stainless steel, which was popular for the rust-inducing ocean environment. Japanese Kai-Gunto naval officers swords are somewhat rare, given that they usually went down with the ships. This particular example has mid grade fittings, which are quite nice, but not the same level seen on the higher end examples made for command officers.

It has a heavy iron tsuba (cross guard) and a single gilt brass seppa (spacer). The tsuka (handle) has two brass Cherry-Blossom menuki (grip decorations), and a nice brass Kabuto-Gane (End Cap). There is what looks to be a piece of wood through the end cap to keep it from falling off, replacing the original cord or metal loop it would have had. It has a good condition black oilcloth grip with complete moderate worn olive green-colored Ito (cloth binding) with fine decorative collar (fuchi). There is staining and dirt and sweat on the cloth wrapping, and the condition of the fittings indicates light to moderate use, as some of the gilding is worn away. As typical of the pattern, Cherry Blossom motifs appear on many of the fittings. The handle is tight to the blade, and the mekugi (peg) looks to be a replacement.

The Wood scabbard has a standard black lacquer finish, and has all brass fittings, with the gilding faded due to wear and oxidation. Unfortunately, the lower SEMEGANE scabbard ring and the SAYAJIRI end fitting are missing, and the bottom of the scabbard is split open. There is also splitting in the enamel on both sides, as well as some wear and other damage.

The fuchi, tsuba, seppa, and end of the tsuka are all marked with western number 5 5. This matches the number 五 五 (5 5) painted onto the tang, and there is also the number number 5 5 inside the scabbard itself. This indicates that this set of KOSHIRAE (fittings) were all made for this specific blade, and no parts have been swapped out.

Really a nice service used example of a Imperial Japanese Navy Kai-Gunto with a stainless steel blade, ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 24 ½"
Blade Style: Katana
Blade Shape: Shinogi-Zukuri
Overall length: 35“
Scabbard Length: 27 ¾"

It has been over one thousand years ago that the art of making swords appeared in Japan. The swordsmiths of the time may not have known it but they were creating a legendary sword. The Samurai sword has seen combat in many battlefields. From the early days of the Samurai warrior to the fierce battles in the South Pacific during WWII.

Each hand-made Samurai sword is unique because it is forged from steel stock. A tremendous amount of work is dedicated to creating these pieces. They were an instrument of war as much as a beautiful artifact to adorn a room.

The Samurai sword has grown to be one of the most highly desired military antiques.