WW2 Japanese Army Officer's unsigned Gendaito Shin Gunto, Sold

A bohi (grooved) bladed Shin Gunto wakizashi in very good order.

A very good unsigned Gendaito shin gunto. Clearly had been with the officer for some time as it is obvious the sword was converted from a formal metal saya to a field service saya (the fuchi has the old pin release hole), plus the iron tsuba is an early private purchase item, plus the seppa include innermost leather seppa. So this sword saw a lot of the war. Clearly a private purchase blade with bohi groove and cat scratch habaki.

The 19 1/4 inch blade (cutting edge excluding habaki) is in very good order except for a thin rubbing mark (smooth, rather than a scratch) down about a quarter of one side, plus the blade was clearly field sharpened, though done well / better than other shin guntos I have seen. The habaki is splitting down the cutting edge side, I am sure because this sword has been sheathed and drawn many times. Note: It is normal to find a wakizashi length shin gunto in a full katana sized saya. It is was also the preference for many army officers seeing jungle service to have wakizashi length blade, due to the confines of a jungle environment.

The blade has a clearly hand forged (Gendaito) hamon and is well above average, so worth every penny of £? (too late, now sold). Further / full sized images upon request. Our item reference number is B89 (588)