Original Item: Only One Available. Purchased recently from a collector, this is a very nice late wartime production Japanese Naval officer Katana in the Pattern 1937 Kai-Gunto setting. A Kai-Guntō (海軍刀, naval sword) is a weapon and symbol of rank used by the Imperial Japanese Navy during the WWII Period. This is a very nice example, complete with scabbard, and shows only mild use, without much damage or wear. 

The blade is excellent condition, with a nick free edge, which is still quite sharp. Blade length is 23 1/2 inches and overall length 34 1/4 inches. It has a factory forged steel blade, with a single mounting hole in the standard long tang, which has a kiri nakago-jiri (straight cut tang end). While usually seen on blades that have been reduced in length, these are also common on WWII Production Navy swords towards the end of the war. The tang itself is marked a Naval ANCHOR stamp, indicating manufacture at Toyokawa Naval Arsenal (豊川海軍工廠, Toyokawa kaigun kōshō). There is no signature (MEI), as is usual for later war pieces. There is the faded number 11 written on one side of the tang.

The blade retains most of the original factory finish, with a simulated temper line. There is some rust on the tang, however it is very minimal. Japanese Kai-Gunto naval officers swords are somewhat rare, given that they usually went down with the ships. This particular example has mid grade fittings, which are quite nice, but not the same level seen on the higher end examples made for command officers.

It has a heavy brass plated iron tsuba (cross guard) and a single gilt brass seppa (spacer) The tsuka (handle) has two brass Cherry-Blossom menuki (grip decorations), and a nice nickel highlighted brass Kabuto-Gane (End Cap), though it is missing the loop. It has an excellent condition black oilcloth grip with complete olive-colored Ito (cloth binding) with fine decorative collar (fuchi). Condition of the blade, scabbard and fittings is very good, indicating light use. There is some plating loss on the various metal fittings due to age. As typical of the pattern, Cherry Blossom motifs appear on many of the fittings. The handle is tight to the blade, though the cross guard is a bit loos, so there may be a missing spacer or two.

The Wood scabbard has a standard black lacquer finish over a fabric wrapping, and has all brass fittings, with traces of the original gilding. The fittings are somewhat loose due to age, and the single hanging ring fitting has come unglued, so it can be moved up and down the scabbard. Condition is good, though there is wear to the paint, and some splitting along the wood seam, which happens over the years as the wood expands and contracts due to temperature and moisture. This has allowed some of the fabric wrapping to be seen. The fuchi, tsuba, and spacer are all marked with western number 11. This matches the number 11 painted onto the tang, as well as the number 11 inside the scabbard itself. This indicates that this set of KOSHIRAE (fittings) were all made for this specific blade.

Really a great example of a Imperial Japanese Navy Kai-Gunto with a lovely Steel blade, ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 23 3/8"
Blade Style: Katana
Overall length: 34 1/4“
Scabbard Length: 27 1/2"

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.