WW2 Japanese Last Ditch(or in the Ditch), NCO Sword?

[drac2k]

I recently picked up this sword for a very modest price, mainly because I wasn't sure about what it exactly was. Actually, it's a wakizashi because it is only 21" long. The blade is in good general condition with an apparent hamon, however it has several small horizontal forging flaws that normally would make this a non-starter for a serious collector. The unsigned tang looks like the hole was punched rather than drilled, so I'm unsure whether this blade pas been polished so many times that the flaws eventually appeared or that this blade was put aside for a last-ditch effort because of the poor result. The tsuba looks to be standard issue, buttressed by metal and leather washers.

My concern is the handle; I never seen a cruder one on any blade. I put the wooden dowel pin in, however prior to that it was held in place by a type 95 NCO screw that I have shown, which was a real bear to remove!

Should I scrap the handle and find a better one or is this truly the handle that came with the sword and not some G.I.'s work?

[vajo]

The blade looks old for me. Late muromachi/shinto time. The nakago looks cleaned but the 2 file marks are often made in that period. Can't say anything about the Koshirae. Could be wartime by someone who wanted to have his own sword in war. Some soldiers prefered a short sword for different reasons.

 

[Tensho]

Tsuka is legit. I have seen them a few times. It may have had a leather cover at one time also. 

[drac2k]

Thank you both for your informative comments! Tensho, your sword handle looks like the twin to mine. Is it in fact a last ditch NCO sword?

[lonely panet]

possible sue bizen crab claws hahahahha

[Bruce Pennington]

17 hours ago, drac2k said:

Is it in fact a last ditch NCO sword?

Hard to factually say, David.  NCO's were officially allowed to carry civil swords in the last year of the war, by regulation.  But I would not expect them to have an officer tsuba.  So, to me, it could go either way - late war officer sword using available parts (NCO tsuka) or late war NCO using available parts (tsuba).  

[drac2k]

Thanks for your imput Bruce. I am leaning towards Chris's thoughts that is might be an older blade. I think that the flaws may have come out due to repeated polishes. I wish that I could capture the temper line on camera