287

WWII Japanese Type 44 Shin-Gunto Officer's Sword, Signed & Dated

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:300.00 USD
WWII Japanese Type 44 Shin-Gunto Officer's Sword, Signed & Dated
Please read the terms and conditions carefully in regards to shipping and payment. Please contact us before the auction if you have any questions.
WWII Japanese Type 44 Shin-Gunto Officer's Sword, Signed & Dated. The machine made shinogi-zukuri shaped blade measures 66.6cm (26.25") in length and shows a faint simulated suguha temperline and boshi. The blade is signed on the tang with a two-character signature of "Naga Mitsu", and dated on the other side "10th Month of Showa 19" (October, 1944). Sword features brass habaki, aluminum seppa spacers, black-painted steel tsuba guard, wood tsuka handle covered in simulated rayskin, and wrapped with dark brown silk ito cord, war-time stippled black steel fittings and stamped black steel plum blossom menuki. The scabbard is steel, painted light brown with a textured finish, has black steel stippled fittings at top and bottom, and a black steel ashi hanger fitting and ring, with wood lining inside the scabbard. Condition is very good, the blade mostly bright with scattered light rust stains, finger print rust stains, and darkened areas in a couple of spots near the edge. Blade still retains the factory edge with no evidence of re-sharpening. Tang shows a light tan rust patina, commensurate with its age. Handle fittings show light age but retain most of their original finish. Handle wrapping is clean and tight. Wood core shows some shrinkage near the bottom. There is one tapered screw and one bamboo peg retaining the handle to the blade, as is correct for this model sword. Scabbard paint shows some factory runs, scuffs, scratches, and minor rust freckling. Fittings on the scabbard show only light age, and one small retaining screw is missing on the upper mouth fitting. Wood liner shows some losses near the mouth opening. Lock mechanism functions properly. A nice example of a late-war Japanese Type 44 Shin-Gunto officer's sword. Est.: $600-$800.