Original Item: Only One Available. Purchased recently at a military show, this is a very nice 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. It still has the original brown tassel, which was used for all Naval officer grades.

The blade is great condition, and is still quite sharp. It does have some light nicks and denting to the edge, so it may have been used for cutting practice at some point. There are no large dents or nicks consistent with battle, and it has just a bit of scuffing on the side surfaces. Blade length is 25 3/4 inches and overall length 36 1/4 inches. It has a factory forged steel blade, with a single mounting hole in the standard Futsu 普通 (regular) tang, and a haagari (asymmetrically rounded) 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.

The blade retains most of the original factory finish, with a simulated temper line. With the near total absence of rust, even on the tang, we are fairly certain that this is a stainless steel blade, but we have not been able to verify this. Japanese Kai-Gunto naval officers swords are somewhat rare, given that they usually went down with the ships. This particular example has the higher grade 1937 Pattern fittings with the lacquered sharkskin shagreen wrapped scabbard, indicating this may have been made for a front line naval officer.

It has a heavy brass plated iron tsuba (cross guard) and the brass plated steel O-Seppa (Large spacers) around the tsuba are large and highly stylized. These are surrounded by smaller plated steel Seppa (spacers). The tsuka (handle) has two Cherry-Blossom menuki (grip decorations), and a nice Kabuto-Gane (End Cap), which 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, though the grip wrapping is somewhat dirty from sweat and oil. 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. There is a single securing peg present, which looks to be original.

The Wood scabbard (saya) is wrapped in lacquered sharkskin shagreen, and has all plated iron fittings, with some of the plating remaining. As is typical, the glue holding the fittings in place has weakened over the decades, and all are now somewhat loose on the scabbard. The sharkskin covering is still in great shape, with most of the lacquer intact, and no splitting or lifting. Both hanger rings are intact, with a tassel attached to the upper ring.

The tsuba, both Seppa, and one of the O-seppa are all marked with matching number 676, which is also present on the end inside of the Saya. The fuchi is marked 1 8 4, while the tsuka is marked 一 八 四 (184), while the tang of the blade is stamped 686. This most likely means that the handle had to be replaced or refit at arsenal at some point. Most of the metal fittings are blacked brass plated iron, and are magnetic.

Really a great example of a Imperial Japanese Navy Kai-Gunto with a lovely Stainless Steel blade, tassel, and high grade fittings, ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 25 3/4"
Blade Style: Katana
Overall length: 36 1/4“
Scabbard Length: 28 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.