Original Item: Only One Available. Well this is certainly something we haven't seen before! When it first arrived, we assumed from the shape that it was possibly a Boxer Rebellion era Chinese Jian short sword. However, the level of craftsmanship was definitely higher than usually seen from weapons used in that conflict, so 20th Century was most likely.

However, a closer look at the markings revealed a date on the ricasso, and it does not have a Chinese era name, but in fact, a Japanese one! The markings on the blade show a date right to left, which reads 明 治 十 九 年 製 or Meiji 19 Made = 1886. This would be well after the Satsuma rebellion and into the "modernization" of Japan. Some quick research shows this to be a Meiji Era Japanese Army Artillery Short sword, sometimes referred to as a "Model 1886". There were several versions of these described in Jim Dawson's Swords of Imperial Japan, 1868 - 1945, and this is the version without a serial number. The markings on the blade above the date are 東京砲兵工廠, which translates to "Tokyo Artillery Arsenal."

We've only seen a few examples of these out there, and they are quite rare. Most were brought back after WWII by USGI's stationed in mainland Japan. These had been used during the Russo-Japanese war and up until the WWI period, but by that point they were definitely obsolete. Most were likely discarded or melted down.

Condition of the short sword is very good, with a lot of the original machining marks still seen on the blade, though there are some areas of staining and light oxidation. The sword has been sharpened, but not enough to change the shape. The blade is only ground from one side, typical of a lot of artillery and pioneer type blades, which were often used more as tools than weapons. The handle is much in the form of a Chinese Jian, a single handed grip with a rounded pommel, and a curved crossguard.

The scabbard is made in the fashion of a typical European style bayonet scabbard, leather with steel fittings, with the locket having a frog stud. It is unfortunately missing the bottom fittings, which has broken off.

A very interesting late 19th century Japanese short sword, ready to research and display.

Specifications:
Overall length: 26”
Blade length: 21 1/4”
Blade Style: Single Edged Spear with Fuller
Scabbard length: 20”
Weight (without scabbard): 1.65lbs