Japanese Sword for Comments

[Rod Charters]

Hi I recently bought this Japanese sword at a local auction. I was told it is probably WWII era. As I know very little about Japanese swords wondering if I could get some feedback on it. Thanks Rod

[Henk]

Rod,

This is a Japanese sword from the WWII area. If I'm not mistaken these swords are called shin gunto. I'm not an expert on this field, but there are some members around here who are.
These swords where carried by officers and non commissioned officers. Some of these blades where hand made or partially handmade. If there is an inscription on the tang it tells more. Even the name of the smith who manufactured it. But many of these blades where made by mass production in factories. The sword is numbered. A sign of machine manufactory. Is the number of the scabbard equal? If so then you have a complete original WWII japanese shin gunto.

[Royston]

Rod,

I agree with Henk, this is a shin gunto of WW 2 era. The cast alloy hilt identifies it as a NCO's sword rather than an officers whixh usually had binding.

I have one of each and both are stamped with western numbers like yours is. Does anyone know why this is ?

Regards
Royston

[stekemest]

Hi,
It's a WW2 Shin-gunto with machine made blade (called Showato).

Peter

[Rich]

Yes, WW II NCO shingunto. Serial numbers on blade, tsuba and scabbard should
match if it's all original. See my military swords page for examples of
various types. All of these were machine made.

http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/military.htm

Rich

[Rod Charters]

Thanks very much to everyone for the comments as they were very enlightening. Rich thanks also for your website address which gives a very accurate description. I'll check and see if I can find matching serial numbersa on the tsuba, blade and saya match. Rod.