Original Item: Only One Available. Purchased recently at a large military auction, this is a very nice late war style "Island Made" Japanese officer Katana, with an arsenal-made blade. Late in the war, supplies from mainland Japan were often interrupted, and the Mainland itself also was dealing with material shortages and the effects of bombing raids. The armorers on the islands had to make due with what they had, often re-purposing the blades from NCO and other swords for use by officers. There are even cases where the entire sword, fittings and all, were fabricated "on island".

This example looks to have used an arsenal forged blade, possibly from the mainland or China. It is in something close to the standard 1944 pattern fittings, officially known as the 臨時正式 (Rinji Seikishi) or "Special Contingency" version of the Type 98 Shin-Gunto (九八式軍刀 kyūhachi-shiki guntō) setting, sometimes called the "Type 3". These fittings, while often called the P-1944, were in fact designed in 1938, but didn't really see much use until 1940. They were designed to be more robust than the regular Type 98 fittings, as well as less expensive and time consuming to produce. However the standard Type 98 fittings continued to be produced concurrently until almost the end of the war.

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. 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. This is a very nice example, and appears to have seen very little use in combat, though there is some staining on the blade from storage and oxidation.

The katana itself measures 35 3/4 inches overall, with a 24 1/2 inch arsenal-made blade. The blade is not traditionally made, as it does not show any lamination lines or grain, and does not have the correct polish for a hand-made blade. It has a standard bright finish to it, and there is no faux hamon visible, just a simulated yokote. As with other "Island made" types, the peg for the handle was added before the wrapping and mekugi, so there is really no way to remove the handle without completely taking off the wrapping.

The blade mountings are very close to the typical Pattern 1944 era Army style. Quince (mokko gata) shaped blacked brass tsuba (cross guard) with no decorations, a copper habaki (blade collar), with an coppper fuchi (grip collar). There are two seppa (spacers) surrounding the tsuba, properly inlet for the scabbard lock, which is present but non functional due to wear on the scabbard.

The tsuka (handle) has black painted stamped copper Imperial Army cherry blossom menuki (grip decoration), and an unadorned blacked copper Kabuto-Gane (Pommel Cap). It has very nice stingray (Sa-Me) grip panels, covered with complete Ito (cloth binding), which is in good condition, but not wrapped traditionally, which is typical on the P1944 Setting. It is somewhat worn, but does not show any tears or other major damage.

The scabbard for this katana is somewhat of a hybrid between the Type 98 and a regular wooden scabbard of the period. It has the correct throat fitting for a Type 98, with all fittings being non-magnetic. It has a semegane scabbard ring above the end fitting, which like the hanger ring is under a broth leather field cover. The scabbard is invery good condition, however the scabbard lock is too worn to work.

A great chance to pick up a real Japanese WWII "Island-made" Shin-Gunto, brought back from the Pacific Theater by a USGI and ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 24 1/2"
Blade Style: Katana - Shinogi-zukuri
Overall length: 35 3/4“
Scabbard Length: 26 5/8"

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.