799

WWII Japanese Officers Swords, - Japan,

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Western Americana Start Price:1,250.00 USD Estimated At:2,500.00 - 3,500.00 USD
WWII Japanese Officers Swords,  - Japan,
IMPORTANT NOTE ON BUYERS PREMIUMS:

Lot 100 to 343 have a premium of 15%.

The rest of the sale is 19.5% as noted in the listing.

Lot Pick Up: Holabird-Kagin Americana,
3555 Airway Drive Ste #309,
Reno NV 89511,
Sunday - December 9, 10am-4pm
c1939 c1945 - Traditional Japanese swords of this length (36" overall), katana, were worn on small lengths of cord called saya. The sword handles were also wrapped in fabric, called tsuka. Japanese sabre of the second world war. Machine steel, industrial fabrication, with embossed and painted handle to look like a traditional tsuka. The scabbard is of Western style (by opposition to a traditional saya). Swords A and B in this lot are pre 1945 NCO Shin-Gunto (Non Commissioned Officers Swords), with all-metal handles made to resemble traditional cloth-bound shin-gunto swords. Sword A appears to be an example of the first model, as indicated by its unpainted copper hilt. Sword B is an example of the second model; the hilts were made of aluminum and painted to resemble the lacing (ito) on officer`s shin-gunto swords. The blades on both of these swords were not made traditionally, by hand, but are mass-produced and machine made. The serial numbers are simple assembly or manufacturing numbers; they are not serial numbers of blades as issued to specific soldiers.



Sword A: Type 95 (Katana) NCO copper handle sword. The handle of this sword appears to be a copper sheaf over an iron tang, which seems to indicate that this sword is an example of the first model of the Type 95--characterized by an unpainted copper handle. The tang bears a 6428 serial number on one side, indicating a later production run (circa 1940s), and 1523 next to a Japanese character ("Ho"), which may indicate a maker or inspector. The modern, western style scabbard bears a 50359 serial number and has been painted brown.

Sword B: Type 95 (Katana) NCO painted aluminum handle sword. All original, as indicated by the matching serial numbers on the tang and scabbard: 40066. Bears a Tokyo symbol, marking the location of its production, on the tang. Also bears 3 symbols above the hilt, which likely indicate the maker and region of production. The blade is in beautiful shape with no pits, chips, or dings.

Sword C: Type 32 NCO wood and iron handled Japanese WWII era Cavalry Officers Saber. The knuckle guard appears to be missing the thumb loop. The blade is in good condition, with no pitting, chips, or dings. The knuckle guard and modern, western style scabbard have been painted in the same brown paint. -61033