WW2 Named Japanese Army Officer's Shin Gunto, sold

With an earlier shin-shinto wakizashi blade, this WW2 Japanese army officer's shin gunto is in good condition and is marked with the original owner's name and address.

By repute of the wife of the British serviceman who brought this war trophy home to the UK, this shin gunto was taken after the liberation of Changi Prison in Singapore. Apart from the earlier unsigned shin-shinto wakizashi blade, what makes this item really interesting is that the saya (scabbard) is very neatly inscribed with the original owner's name and address; Mr. Otsubo Saburo from Gifu-ken Mashita-gun Hagiwaracho Joro; you can see where he lived / came from here. We have no idea what happened to Otsubo Saburo but, with his name and address, he and / or his descendants / family could quite easily be traced.

The 51 1/2 cm blade is in overall good condition, some marking / scratching here and there, straight hamon very visible, some ware (forging lines). Full set of Seppa (spacers / washers) thought might benefit from one more. Saya / scabbard in good order, though the leather cover has cracked where people have folded it back to see the inscription in the past.

Please quote item reference number F46 (897). Further / full sized images available upon request.