WW2 Navy Officers Samari Sword?

[Lou58]

Hi, I have been offered this sword, and as I am new to sword collecting I need help to establish if its original.

Thanks for any help,

Lou

[Lou58]

WW2 Navy Officers Samari Sword?

2

[Lou58]

WW2 Navy Officers Samari Sword?

3

[Lou58]

WW2 Navy Officers Samari Sword?

4

[Lou58]

WW2 Navy Officers Samari Sword?

5

[Lou58]

WW2 Navy Officers Samari Sword?

6

[Lou58]

WW2 Navy Officers Samari Sword?

7

[Lou58]

WW2 Navy Officers Samari Sword?

8

[Lou58]

WW2 Navy Officers Samari Sword?

9

[Larry Lipps]

While Japanese swords aren't my area, this one looks virtually identical to the late war Navy I own. My guess is that it's fine, but I'm going to copy your thread into the Japanese forum where you'll hopefully receive more opinions as well.

[Steve Flanagan]

Sword

These swords are generally characterized as "Shinguntos with naval characteristics" in "Japanese Military and Civil Swords and Dirks" page 138 by Fuller and Gregory. Opinion varies from late war usage by Naval Landing Forces to post war assembly by vets using parts from storage depots. The fittings are all Army with the exception of the tsuba which is missing the two plates with the rays etched on them. Black scabbard and correct wrap and backing for a navy, and a navy marked stainless blade. Due to it not being a textbook navy they do not bring the prices of one. I tend to believe late war usage as the gold tone to fittings would be hard for a bunch of G.I.'s to pull off.

[Jareth]

Like Steve mentions above these had black lacquer/painted scabbards with only one hanger band instead of the normal two.

[Budo45]

late Navy, they cut way back on mounts. its got a navy stamp, SSteel blade.

[Edokko]

Yes, I agree it's a late navy mount SS blade.
I also heard about the post-war make, but have to discount that possiblity for a few reasons.

1) Since the blades are pretty well made for a post war production, and most swords were being confiscated after the occupation, not being newly made.
2) These specific blades, some with a mei of Inaba (伊奈波) marked on the tang are pretty much mainly found with this style scabbard & strange navy/army mounting,
3) The army style mounts are not the same make as the known Type 98 army gunto mounts. The material seems different, much cruder made and of course the gold color. They look like they were made specifically for this variation, so could not be a post-war arsenal put-together by GIs having acces to a box full of army T-98 mounts.
4) The tsuka-maki (handle wrapping) is too well done for a GI work.