WW2 Officer Katana

[Luis22]

nice shingunto...no need for polishing its a good example the way it is..

[oldhonda]

The edge is destroyed. Otherwise, it's okay as-is.

[BruceP]

Thank you, Steve. Yes, upon close examination under magnification I see exactly what you mean - this blade has apparently very carefully had the fine edge removed and been dulled. Unfortunate, perhaps, but nonetheless done for a good reason...and the first thing I have learned about this sword!

You might find this post interesting to read. Nick Komiya, on Warrelics, goes into the iJA regulations requiring the dulling of swords. It mentions that swords "in peacetime" were required to be dulled. I doubt there was ever a "peacetime" for this sword, except maybe after war's end, however in another thread, someone discussed how the U.S. Cavalry required swords to be dulled when not "in the field". I wonder if this sword was dulled, per spec, by a soldier who was serving at home, and not in combat? It is also possible a soldier who brought it home, did the dulling for safety purposes. Either way is possible.

http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/japane...ranted-675938/

[oldhonda]

This is an officer's sword. It's his personal property, which he paid good money for. Dulling of swords would not affect the officer's sword. As you know, re-polish a sword is not cheap.