Description
Product Description: This Japanese Officers Sword is a very nice example, with a desirable, high quality, traditionally made blade. This type of sword is what is known as a “Gunto.” The sword is in correct wartime Army mount, and measures 39 inches long overall, with a 27 inch blade. The traditionally made steel blade shows a very nice and well-defined wavy “gunome-choji” temper line, with a nice deep temper at the point. The surface of the steel shows a few small areas of mild darkening, but no rust. The blade’s cutting edge is completely free of chips or dents. The tang of the blade is well-marked, being signed by the manufacturer “Shinoda Ujifusa,” as well as having an inspection stamp. This maker was located in Seki city and this is a wartime era blade, circa 1940. The handle of this fine sword features a solid brass Tsuba with all fittings and functioning push button. The grip is nicely wrapped, with some normal patina from handling, and no damage to note. There is an original officer sword knot tied to the sword’s ring, that remains complete and sound. This Japanese Officers Sword is complete with a very nice olive green painted scabbard. The scabbard retains most of the original paint, with a mild, uncleaned patina, and shows no dents or damage. All of the original scabbard fittings are intact and appear untouched. Overall, this is an attractive and very clean traditionally made sword, with great visual appeal. The condition rates as excellent.
Historical Description: The Imperial Japanese Army numbered 1,700,000 soldiers in 1941. By August 1945, this number had swelled to 6,095,000 men. During the course of the war, these men were sent to areas of operations that spanned a huge part of the globe, including the Mongolian border, Hong Kong, the Phillipines. Thailand, Burma, Dutch East Indies, and Malaya. These soldiers were issued a wide variety of uniform and equipment items. They had specialized footwear, helmets and other headgear, and different types of uniforms intended for the varying (and often extreme) climates in which Japanese soldiers fought. As with all of the major combatants of WWII, the Japanese also had special insignia to identify ranks and roles of individual soldiers, as well as decorations to reward soldiers for their service and achievements. American soldiers who fought in the Pacific Theater avidly sought Japanese items as souvenirs, and they collected not only flags, weapons and helmets, but items of personal equipment and even personal items of Japanese soldiers. Today, all aspects of WWII Japanese Army uniforms, insignia, equipment, and awards, remain collectible historic items.
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