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