Original Item: Only One Available. Purchased recently from a collector, this is an excellent 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 great example, complete with scabbard, and shows little sign of use.

The blade is in excellent condition, with an edge which is still quite sharp. There are just a few areas of minor denting on the edge. Blade length is 24 1/8 inches and overall length 35 inches. It has a factory forged steel blade, with a single mounting hole in the standard long Futsu 普通 (regular) shaped Nakago (tang) with a kiri (cut) nakago-jiri. 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 there are the painted Japanese numbers 七 六 (7 6) on the tang.

The blade retains virtually all of the original factory finish and simulated straight (sugu) hamon. There are are just a few minor scratches and scuff marks on the surface. There is also a simulated yokote, and given the total absence of rust on the blade, we believe it to be made from Stainless steel, which was popular for the rust-inducing ocean environment. 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 brass Kabuto-Gane (End Cap). It has an excellent condition black oilcloth grip with complete lightly worn olive brown-colored Ito (cloth binding) with fine decorative collar (fuchi). Condition of the blade, scabbard and fittings is very good, indicating light use. As typical of the pattern, Cherry Blossom motifs appear on many of the fittings. The handle is tight to the blade, though there is a bit of cross guard wobble, and the mekugi (peg) is a replacement.

The Wood scabbard has a standard black lacquer finish, and has all brass fittings, with much of the original gilding. The fittings are somewhat loose due to age, but they are still held in place party by the original glue. Condition is very good, with only a few scrapes and the usual cracking ahd flaking along the seam. The fuchi, tsuba, and seppa are all marked with western number 7 6. This matches the number 七 六 (7 6) painted onto the tang and written on the end of the tsuka (handle). There is also the number number 7 6 inside the scabbard itself. This indicates that this set of KOSHIRAE (fittings) were all made for this specific blade, and no parts have been swapped out.

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

Specifications:
Blade Length: 24 1/8"
Blade Style: Katana
Overall length: 35“
Scabbard Length: 27 3/4"

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.