{"product_id":"original-wwii-imperial-japanese-army-type-19-kyu-gunto-nickel-plated-parade-sword-with-scabbard-family-crest","title":"Original WWII Imperial Japanese Army Type 19 Kyu-Gunto Nickel Plated Parade Sword with Scabbard \u0026 Family Crest","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. There were two revisions of the design, the original \"Type 8\" introduced in 1875 (Meiji 8), and the later \"Type 19\", introduced in 1886 (Meiji 19). The later version had a simplified scabbard with only one hanger ring.\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 very nice example of an Army Officer Kyu-Gunto, complete with the original black enamel painted 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 27 1\/4 inch long blade on this example is machine-made, with a broad fuller, and is fully nickel plated. The plating is still in fair condition, showing wear and oxidation in places, with some heavy flaking of the plating around the ricasso and tip. The overall length of the sword is 32 inches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe officer who owned this sword had a Family \/ Clan Crest, or \"Mon\" added to the back strap, as pictured. There are a multitude of these, and unfortunately we were not able to identify the symbol. We leave this as an excellent research opportunity for the purchaser. There are many books regarding Japanese Mon, but almost all are in Japanese.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe hilt is an ornate cast brass example, with lovely cherry blossom and other floral motifs on the back strap, along with a very lovely family crest. The metal originally fully plated and gilt, however it now has much of this worn away, with the rest faded to a lovely patina. It has the standard 10-petal Cherry Blossom emblem jutting out from the back strap on both sides, indicating Imperial Japanese Army use. It has the standard European-style \"D\" guard, as well as a very nice wooden grip, with the original brass wire binding fully intact. There is some loss to the wooden grip as shown. The leather blade buffer is gone, and the hilt is still firmly attached to the tang.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scabbard (saya) is black enamel painted steel, and does show age and patination to the finish. It has bubbled up in places, some of which have flaked off, with some areas of oxidation as well. It is a very simple design scabbard, patterned after European swords of the 19th century. The hanging ring is still present and shows plating wear from use. The scabbard has a few big dents, which do not interfere with sheathing the blade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall this is a very nice example of this type of sword that would make a worthy addition to any Japanese military collection. Ready to display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 32”\u003cbr\u003eBlade length: 27¼”\u003cbr\u003eHand guard: 4” width x 5” length\u003cbr\u003eScabbard length: 28¼”\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42415399239749,"sku":"ONSV24MYS011","price":595.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV24MYS011__01.jpg?v=1741032542","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-wwii-imperial-japanese-army-type-19-kyu-gunto-nickel-plated-parade-sword-with-scabbard-family-crest","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}