I have just picked up thru my ad a strange WW2 Japanese samurai katana & would like to know what the story is on it, if anyone knows. ( Along with it came a 1942 Nambu in its holster.) At first look it appears to be the standard WW2 Army officer's sword with officers fittings. But upon looking at the blade it is a machine-made NCO blade with the groove. ? The tang is stramped with the nr. 71 & also there is a small "W". At first I thought, well somebody replaced the blade with this NCO blade, but the tang hole matches the hole in the handle exactly. The fittings are all shin-gunto officer mountings; the tsuka is bound w/the brown cloth taping w/the white ray skin. It has 2 brass looking menuki w/the 3 cherry blossoms. It has the officer type push-button release. The scabbard is the regular olive-brown metal Arrmy type. Then I noticed that all parts have the same stamped nr. 71; the tsuba, all seppa, & the fuchi are all stamped 71. I've never had anything like it. Can anyone tell me what this is ??
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Sounds like a standard army officers shingunto with a showa blade mounted. Not nco , they schould have 2 holes on the tang ,one near the end of the tang.Last edited by gunto; 08-25-2014, 12:52 PM. -
It sounds like you have, as Gunto says, a standard Showa Shin-gunto. Probably semi-machine made with some hand finishing.
Grooved blades don't automatically mean NCO and if it was a remounted NCO blade there would likely be the original serial number on the blade adjacent to the habaki followed by a tiny inspection stamp. Just to rule that possibility out I'll attach a photo for you to view that will depict what I mean.
Pics would help.
Regards,
StuComment
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Thanks for the speedy replies, guys. There is only 1 hole in the tang. There is no serial nr. on the blade in that position; I know what you mean, I've had plenty of the NCO serial numbered swords in over the years via my ads. The manner of whacking the serial nr. "71' on the tang is oddly done ( not side-by-side ) ; the 7 can be seen, & the 1 is stamped about 1/2" below. I have white chalk into the numbers on the tang so that the numbers can easily be seen. I'm not able to post pictures but have taken some using my scanner. If I had your email I could send you some pictures, & feel free to post those if you wish.Comment
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Email sent by PM
Regards,
StuComment
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photos to follow ...Comment
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OK, that's it so far. A photo of the entire blade would be good to see.
Regards,
StuComment
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Bo-hi or grooves were an option for IJA officers. I have seen a few of these machine made blades with hi. The humbers on the nakago are likely some form of inventory number.Comment
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Hello Bob,Originally posted by Bob Coleman View Post
I agree with those being inventory numbers. Aside from the grooves from what I can see it's a standard Type 98. The tsuba lacking cut outs and the sarute of cloth lead me to believe it was not early production.
Regards,
StuComment
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Thanks to all those who provided information & the helpful comments regarding this sword.Comment
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Here are some photos of the blade ...Comment
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