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He Died for the Emperor...a Tell Tale Souvenier

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    He Died for the Emperor...a Tell Tale Souvenier

    I purchased this sword two weeks ago from the 73 yo. son of the U.S. Army veteran that brought it back. Obviously the Japanese Officer did not make it and was KIA by a hail of machine gun fire as evidenced by his sword.

    The sword itself is a 26 1/2" long blade dating to the mid 14th, to mid 15th century (verified by my Japanese sword polisher and other Token-Kai members). It is unsigned but flawless for a blade of it's antiquity. It was slightly shortened sometime during it's lifetime but is a magnificant example!

    The Officer obviously had this sword drawn when he was cut down, one bullet hitting the back strap of the hilt taking with it a chunk of wood just missing the tang. Other bullets creased the metal scabbard in 3, possibly 4, different places, each scar measuring roughly 5 inches apart from one another, the worst of which is on the opposite side, two inches or so above the drag and actually piercing the scabbard (a definate indicator of the sword having been drawn).

    The G.I. who brought it back was the Battalion Surgeon but unfortunately the son can't remember what unit his father served in however the sword was taken during the fighting for New Guinea.

    What a story this sword could tell.......!
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    Last edited by vonStubben; 09-04-2013, 03:18 PM.

    #2
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      #3
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        #4
        Most interesting, thanks for sharing!



        Tom

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          #5
          Very nice!

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            #6
            One of a kind. Very interesting, thanks for sharing it with us.

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              #7
              Looks like the damage was done by a .45ACP, probably a Thompson. A .30-06 would have gone clean through the tsuka and saya. Nice piece.
              Steve

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                #8
                Here is one of mine.

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                  #9
                  Originally posted by ottodog8 View Post
                  Looks like the damage was done by a .45ACP, probably a Thompson. A .30-06 would have gone clean through the tsuka and saya. Nice piece.
                  Steve
                  Interesting that you should think that because that is what I too believe. I think the rounds were also of .45 caliber

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                    #10
                    Originally posted by toadboy65 View Post
                    Here is one of mine.
                    Many years ago I had another late war gunto that caught a bullet. The bullet struck the scabbard and tore a strip of metal free, wrapping it around to the other side and also bending the blade. It didn't break, and you could still draw the blade, but this new one of mine takes the cake.

                    This one seems to have survived quite well too.

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