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Japanese Type 97 Kai-Gunto Naval Officer's Sword

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:500.00 USD
Japanese Type 97 Kai-Gunto Naval Officer's Sword
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[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2026 Jul 26 @ 10:00 (UTC-07:00 : PDT/MST)
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Japanese Type 97 Kai-Gunto Naval Officer's Sword, 23.25" machine made deluxe oil tempered blade with Gunome hamon temper line. Tang is signed "Yoshi Shige" with a Seki arsenal stamp. Tang has two holes and is dated "Showa 18" for 1943. The Habaki collar has a dark brass color with scabbard scratches on the left side. Seppa spacer washers have a dark patina and the forward washer fits loosely to the blade. Tsuba appears to be made of darkened bronze and has a rising sun motif on both sides. Ferrule is gold plated and decorated with cherry blossoms and leaves. Handle is a wooden sleeve covered in black ray skin, wrapped with twisted black silk, and tied on the upper end. Two gold plated Menuki are decorated with three cherry blossoms on each side.Habaki guard is gold plated and shows wear and fading. Suspension ring is missing. The scabbard is made from wood covered in black polished shark skin with gold plated brass fittings decorated with cherry blossoms. The sword is a late war variant without the release latch and button. Scabbard throat has a slot for a release latch but there is no pin on the side. Condition is fine overall. Blade has some intermittent fine scratching and tiny scattered dark spots. There is a shallow dent to the back edge that corresponds to a slight bend in the blade. The handle is tight but the Tsuba and pommel fit a little loosely. Scabbard shows scattered moderate dents below the throat and the seam is split along the underside. Fittings show moderate wear and finish loss. Blade slides in and out smoothly. Est: $1,000-$1,300.