Item:
ONSV1303

Original WWII Japanese Army Officer Shin-Gunto Katana Sword with Steel Scabbard - Handmade Blade

Item Description

Original Item: Only One Available. Purchased directly from a collector, this is a very nice wartime production high grade Japanese officer Katana in the standard pre-1944 Shin-Gunto setting. A Guntō (軍刀, military sword) is a Japanese sword produced for use by the Japanese army and navy after the end of the samurai era in 1868, when the Meiji Restoration occurred. This is a very nice example, and either saw very little use, or was never issued.

The blade is handmade and was expertly crafted by a master sword maker, which is indicated by a few tell-tale characteristics that include:

- Single-hole tang.

- Hole in the tang is punch and not drilled.

- Folded steel blade (fold lines are evident on the spine and body of blade, especially the tip)

- Visible temper line ("hamon"), with crystallization visible at the edge (Nie and Nioi)

- Clear grain (hada) on the blade, with lamination lines visible.

Offered in great condition, the blade is still sharp and has  just a few small areas of oxidation on the edge. Overall the polish on the blade is excellent, with just a bit of light staining from oxidation in places. Blade length is approximately 25 1/2 inches and overall length 36 1/2 inches. Handmade blade with an asymmetrically pointed (iriyamagate) tang, and a proper geometric yokote (tip). Temper line (hamon) is visible, and is of the straight (sugu) type. Grain on blade is highly visible, especially on the tip end (yokote) of the blade. One of the most striking examples we have seen recently.

The blade mountings are the classic WW2 era (Pre 1944) Army style, brass with gold accents. Round tsuba (cross guard) with brass Imperial Army cherry blossom menuki (grip decoration), and a nice Kabuto-Gane (Pommel Cap). The cross guard and pommel cap have matching cherry blossom motifs, which are also found on the scabbard fittings, and the fuchi (grip collar). There are 6 Seppa (spacers) around the cross guard to keep the fit tight, and all are inleted for the scabbard lock. The blade collar (habaki) looks to be cupro-nickel alloy.

The handle (tsuka) has an excellent stingray (Sa-Me) grip, with complete Ito (cloth binding), which is in excellent condition. The single wooden securing peg is still present. The Scabbard (saya) is steel and in very nice condition, with almost all of the original paint. It does have a few small dents, but these appear to be from storage or handling, not from any type of military action. It matches and locks into the hilt securely.

Also, All components of the handle and cross guard are stamped with western number 17, indicating that this is an original matched set made for this specific blade. The blade itself is marked 七 二 七 三 in paint on the tang, which translates to 7 2 7 3, however Japanese use of Western Numbers can be confusing, and we have no reason to believe that this blade does not match the scabbard and handle. They all require hand fitting, and this one fits like a glove.

Overall a great display piece, a real USGI-bring back from WWII, ready to display and cherish.

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 folded 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.

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