Original 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).

The 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.

Prior 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.

Kyu-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.

This is an excellent example of a Navy Officer Kyu-Gunto, complete with a brass fit leather 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. The 26 3/4" blade on this example is machine-made, and fully nickel plated. The blade is in pretty much unissued condition, with full nickel plating, and just a bit o speckling near the hilt.

The hand 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. It has the standard European-style "D" guard, as well as a very nice 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. The blade has just a bit of wobble in the hilt, as we usually see.

The scabbard is in great shape, without any bends or major damage, and the leather is still flexible. There is a bit of cracking on the leather finish, but no major flaking. It has not shrunk, and still can lock correctly into the fold down crossguard.

Another fine example of WWII Japanese edge weapon!

Dimensions:
Overall length: 31 5/8”
Blade length: 26 5/8”
Hand guard: 4” width x 5” length
Scabbard length: 27 3/4”