{"product_id":"original-japanese-wwii-navy-officer-model-1883-kyu-gunto-sword-with-family-crest-nco-style-katana-blade-and-sharkskin-parade-scabbard","title":"Original Japanese WWII Navy Officer Model 1883 Kyu-Gunto Sword with Family Crest, NCO Style Katana Blade, and Sharkskin Parade Scabbard","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. The first standard sword of the Japanese military was known as the kyu gunto (旧軍刀, old military sword). Murata Tsuneyoshi (1838-1921), a Japanese general who previously made guns, started making what was probably the first mass-produced substitute for traditionally made samurai swords. These swords are referred to as \"Murata-to\" and they were used in both the Sino-Japanese war (1894-1895) and the Russo-Japanese war (1904-1905).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe kyu gunto was used from 1875 until 1934, it closely resembled European and American swords of the time, with a wraparound hand guard (also known as a D-Guard) and chrome plated scabbard (saya), the steel scabbard is said to have been introduced around 1900.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrior to 1945, many kyū guntō were distributed to commissioned officers to fill a demand for swords to Japan's expanding military officer classes. To distinguish individuality, wealth or craftsmanship, many swords were produced in batches as small as 1–25 to maintain the legacy of sword culture. Styles varied greatly, with inspirations drawn from swords of early periods, familial crests, and experimental artistic forms that the Meiji Restoration period had begun to introduce. Some examples have included European style silverworking, jade, cloisonné, or metalwork and paint for artistic relief.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKyu-gunto swords, also called Russo-Japanese swords, were used by Army, Cavalry and Naval officers during the Russo-Japanese War and WWII. This style of mounting was used from 1883 until 1945. Like shin-gunto, a great variety of quality in both blades, traditional and machine made, and mounts is seen in kyu-gunto swords. Many variations are found in the scabbards of kyu-gunto swords including chromed metal, lacquered wood or leather covered wood with brass fixtures. Any style scabbard may have a leather field cover. Those swords with elongated hilts and mekugi (peg for holding blade into hilt) are more likely to have hand forged blades, while the swords lacking mekugi generally are machine made and may have chromed blades. The backstraps of naval kyu-gunto swords have no side pieces while army kyu-gunto and colonial swords have side pieces with various emblems on the backstrap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a fantastic example of a Navy Officer Kyu-Gunto, complete with a very desirable brass fit polished sharksin-wrapped wooden parade scabbard. Like their western counterparts, officer's swords such as these were produced with a more ornate \"parade\" scabbard, and a steel \"field\" scabbard. This sword was produced prior to WWII or during the early war period, before the fittings were switched to aluminum, and construction simplified. It is however, quite a bit different from those we see, and is much more of a \"Katana-style\" shape. The handle is quite long, with a 9 inch long guard, and the blade is not the usual nickel or chrome plated parade blade. Instead, the 26 ¾” blade is an arsenal forged Type 95 NCO Katana style blade, with a fuller near the spine and a geometric tip. It also has a full length tang with a single peg hole. The hilt can also be removed, and disassembles into multiple pieces, with SEPPA spacers to keep the fit tight. We have seen Army Kyu-Gunto like this before, but not one from the Navy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe handle and crossguard have some areas where the gilding is intact, especially on the blade side, with the rest having a nicely worn and polished brass patina. There are several 5 petal cherry blossom motifs on the hilt, as is correct for the pattern. The ornamentation on the top of the crossguard is the \"9 Leaf\" pattern, showing two cherry blossoms with a total of nine leaves around them. It has the standard European-style \"D\" guard, as well as a beautiful stingray skin (same) grip, with the original brass wire binding fully intact. There is also a fold down guard on the hilt, which locks onto a tab on the scabbard. For more information on Model 1883 Naval Officer Swords, please see the book \u003cem\u003eSwords of Imperial Japan 1868-1945: Cyclopedia Edition\u003c\/em\u003e by Jim Dawson, pages 248-259.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe hilt is still tight to the blade, and as an added treat, there is a round Japanese MON, or family crest on the back of the handle. The design is called in Japanese MARU NI NARABIYA (丸に並び矢 - Two arrows in a circle) is a traditional Japanese family crest (KAMON) featuring two parallel arrows placed side-by-side inside a solid circle. This was known to be used by the HATTORI and KAJIWARA clans, as well as others who were known for their skill in archery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scabbard is in great shape, without any bends or major damage, and the sharkskin is still polished well. It has not shrunk, and still can lock correctly into the fold down crossguard. The gilding has mostly been worn away, though some is present on the very end by the throat. We did note that the glue holding the throat fitting on has degraded, so it can be pulled off the end of the scabbard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnother fantastic example of WWII Japanese edged weaponry with some great research potential! This is miles above the typical Navy Kyu-gunto we see, and would make a fantastic addition to any Japanese wartime edged weapon collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 37”\u003cbr\u003eBlade length: 26 ¾”\u003cbr\u003eHand guard: 4” width x 9” length\u003cbr\u003eScabbard length: 29 ⅞”\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45147608875077,"sku":"ONJR26MYMF094","price":2395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/CABA247D-C328-4D61-8F26-976253DD53BD.jpg?v=1781286550","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-japanese-wwii-navy-officer-model-1883-kyu-gunto-sword-with-family-crest-nco-style-katana-blade-and-sharkskin-parade-scabbard","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}