WW2 Japanese Army Officer's Sword with trophy
document, sold |
In aged condition, an authentic WW@ Imperial Japanese army officer's
sword (shin gunto), with trophy / award document
 

This is a sword that was bought home by a British officer and probably
stuck in an attic ever since. The sword has suffered from age; the
blade has light to medium pitting, the hilt has lost most of its
rayskin under the grip bindings, the scabbard has loss some of its
original paint and the shoe / drag (sayajira), the furniture is
grimy from oxidation (would clean up) and the tang of the blade
is rusted in places. However, the blade still shows some hamon and
the pitting actually tends to indicate the blade may well be gendaito,
or traditionally made. The tang is signed but some of the characters
have rusted away; the area that would have an army / armory acceptance
stamp is rusted. The signature is quiet artistic and appears to
be "Nagahiro" (the blade maker's name).



The quite substantial / hefty 24 1/2 inch blade has two nicks to
the front cutting edge; these seem clearly period action damage.
The blade is firm in the hilt. The sword sheathes and draws OK.
Complete with trophy / possession letter for the British serviceman
(Sergeant Andrews) to keep the sword. A very good buy. Please quote
item reference F97 (920). Further / full sized images available
upon request. - Box Bespoke
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