Original Item: Only One Available. Purchased from a private collector, this is a late wartime production Japanese Army Officer's Katana, in fittings commonly called the "Late 1944" pattern. These were made quickly and relatively cheaply, using iron fittings and much less ornate designs, making these one of the simpler varieties of Gunto. A Shin-Guntō (新軍刀, new military sword) is a weapon and symbol of rank used by the Imperial Japanese Army between the years of 1935 and 1945. This is a service used example, which does show some light rust and use. These are not made as carefully or to as high of a standard as the earlier blades, which makes them a very economical way to get into Japanese sword collecting.

Offered in very good overall condition, this sword has seen light use and moisture exposure, but not anything out of the ordinary.  The blade is in very good condition, with a good overall polish, with some areas of light staining and peppering. There are only a few small nicks in the blade. The long tang has two MEKUGI-ANA (Peg holes), and is Futsu 普通 (regular) shaped with an Irayamagata Nakago-jiri (Asymmetrical Pointed Tip). The tang is unmarked, except for a small Cherry Blossom stamp with the character 岐 (GI) inside, for the arsenal in Gifu (岐阜) Japan. The blade measures 26 1/8 inches, and the sword is 37 1/2 inches long overall.

This sword is mounted in the typical late WWII setting. Oval tsuba (cross guard) with plain blacked brass cherry blossom menuki (grip decoration), and a steel kashira (End Cap), with both securing pegs present. Has a nice brass habaki (blade collar), and two seppa (spacers) surrounding the tsuba. The end of the tsuka (handle) where the blade inserts has a nice blacked brass fuchi (handle collar) embossed with cherry blossoms. The synthetic stingray Sa-Me (grip) with complete Ito (cloth binding).

The Scabbard (saya) is steel and in very nice condition with original WWII paint and functional locking spring.The tsuba (crossguard) is somewhat loose, as the handle seems to have shrunk a bit, and does not quite stabilize it anymore.

This will make a great addition to any WWII Pacific Theater collection. Ready to display!

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.