Butch

Thanks John just posted it on the translation section .. Can only guess what these stains are if this sword could only talk !!!! not sure on the sword bag that came with it being a type of heavy duty cotton … Gareth

Having posted this sword on the Military Sword section I was asked to post the the images of the tang for your assistance .. Many thanks Gareth

Under the cover which has not been seen since the cover was fitted all those years ago

Thanks for the comment I know the soldier who fetched it back was a Warrant Office .. The sword has that been there feeling but the blade is in excellent old polish .. Like I said a total time warp piece

All fittings are stamped 24 plus the tsuba as a small makers stamp

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Recently had a call from a dealer who informed me he had purchased from the family of the soldier who had fetched this sword back from Burma .. It as never been on the market and came complete with its original leather field covers for the saya and Tsuka plus the original sword knot and leather sword hanger plus its original leather foul weather cover .. Waiting for the soldiers personnel papers to come which also includes his pay book plus some badges … the Tsuka cover was gently removed to remove it to read the tang .. which does reveal a long inscription which dates the sword to a day in August 1863 the blade as hardly any bend to it and is in good original polish plus the sword also came with a Mon attached which I believe is to the Matsukawa clan … I have been informed by a good friend the the smith is Kunimasa.. Any more information regarding this sword would be greatly appreciated . Many thanks Gareth

Thanks for your comment I was wondering if the tassel was original .. Gareth

Thanks John this forum is a great font of knowledge will get my eyeglass out tomorrow to see if I can find any inspection marks .. Gareth

Sorry I missed the pic of the end of the blade

Thanks Conway for your comment….

I just love the shape of the Tsuka being more of a banana shape ….

Here is a type 98 Shin Gunto officers sword made circa 1934-36. The quality of the sword is exceptional but unusual is it is not signed only an arsenal stamp ? The blade looks like a antique Koto Tachi blade as it as a nicely delicate shape blade though not traditional made it as received a lot of work an artificial hamon as been but on the blade with a stone. The sword fittings are very high quality and are all matching numbers . The saya as the private purchase red colour brown paint . And the sword is fitted with Major /Colonels tassel . I have showed to someone whose opinion I highly respect and he believes it is a style which was purchased from The Army Officers Club in Tokyo …

Hello Michael no I have been fortunate enough to pick these three up .. Regarding the Army swords they are rarer and not so common these three all came from the same collection formed over fifty years and was sold by the late collectors family through various dealers and auctions ..