Bring back from an Americal 1SG

[Fred Green]

Hello,

While travelling down to the SOS I stopped at a friends house. Her grandfather was a 1SG with an Americal Artillery Unit in WWII. I am sure I will get more info on him later. I wanted to get some information on the sword he brought back. No interest in sell, just really want to know what it is. Thanks.

Fred

[Fred Green]

Unit photo

[Fred Green]

The Sword

[Fred Green]

2

[Fred Green]

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[Fred Green]

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[Fred Green]

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[Fred Green]

6

[Fred Green]

7 Thanks for looking!

[oldhonda]

That is a Type 94 kai-gunto - a T-94 navy sword. The scabbard is mismtaching, because it is for an army sword. Beneath the handle where it may have the smith's name and a date for when it was made.

[oldhonda]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/JAPANESE-WW...vip=true&rt=nc


Check out the above link to learn from the professional sellers the basics of presenting a Japanese sword for evaluation (to sell) online.

[BruceP]

Fred,

Mostly agree with Oldhonda, except the Type is 97. 94 and 98 were Army. There should be a small bamboo peg in that hole in the handle about 2” up from the hand guard. Push it out with something, and the handle and hand guard will come off. There we sometimes swordsmith names and dates on the tang. If it is rusted it might need some convincing. Grabbing both sides of the hand guard and rocking it back and forth often works. Last resort a rubber mallet. It won’t damage anything to remove it.

The scabbard is Army while the blade is navy. This could be because it didn’t have a scabbard when the G.I. picked it up. Often they would just grab a scabbard that fit to bring it home. There were Navy Officers that worked with Army on occupied islands like Iwo Jima, who wore an Army/Navy mix, but the pics I’ve seen are always Army handle and Navy scabbard.

In any case, all legitimate WWII equipment.

[oldhonda]

Yes, I made a mistake about the model name. It should be Type 97 like Bruce said, or "Showa 12 Type", as the Japanese name.

From the 2 pictures, I think the condition of the blade is in VG to Excellent condition, despite the mounts are in so-so condition.

[GHP]

...Beneath the handle where it may have the smith's name and a date for when it was made.

And be prepared to find out it is stainless steel. If the tang has no rust, that will be a huge clue.


--Guy