Here's a saru-te from an Army Airforce or Airborne Unit sword.
According to Fuller & Gregory in their book Military Swords of Japan 1868-1945, this specially made brass saru-te bears the pilot's badge design. Such personalisation was presumably offered by the sword retailer at extra cost. They say that this type of saru-te was found on a standard shin-gunto with a leather covered scabbard which had parachutist wings embossed on the cover obverse. They considered the sword to be rare, and used by an airborne-unit officer.
Regards
Russ
According to Fuller & Gregory in their book Military Swords of Japan 1868-1945, this specially made brass saru-te bears the pilot's badge design. Such personalisation was presumably offered by the sword retailer at extra cost. They say that this type of saru-te was found on a standard shin-gunto with a leather covered scabbard which had parachutist wings embossed on the cover obverse. They considered the sword to be rare, and used by an airborne-unit officer.
Regards
Russ
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