Japanese Sword for Comments

Rod Charters · 20th October 2008, 08:43 AM

Hi I recently bought this Japanese sword at a local auction. I was told it is probably WWII era. As I know very little about Japanese swords wondering if I could get some feedback on it. Thanks Rod

Henk · 20th October 2008, 11:06 AM

Rod,

This is a Japanese sword from the WWII area. If I'm not mistaken these swords are called shin gunto. I'm not an expert on this field, but there are some members around here who are.
These swords where carried by officers and non commissioned officers. Some of these blades where hand made or partially handmade. If there is an inscription on the tang it tells more. Even the name of the smith who manufactured it. But many of these blades where made by mass production in factories. The sword is numbered. A sign of machine manufactory. Is the number of the scabbard equal? If so then you have a complete original WWII japanese shin gunto.

Royston · 20th October 2008, 11:53 AM

Rod,

I agree with Henk, this is a shin gunto of WW 2 era. The cast alloy hilt identifies it as a NCO's sword rather than an officers whixh usually had binding.

I have one of each and both are stamped with western numbers like yours is. Does anyone know why this is ?

Regards
Royston

stekemest · 20th October 2008, 11:53 AM

Hi,
It's a WW2 Shin-gunto with machine made blade (called Showato).

Peter

Rich · 20th October 2008, 12:40 PM

Yes, WW II NCO shingunto. Serial numbers on blade, tsuba and scabbard should
match if it's all original. See my military swords page for examples of
various types. All of these were machine made.

http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/military.htm

Rich

Rod Charters · 20th October 2008, 06:48 PM

Thanks very much to everyone for the comments as they were very enlightening. Rich thanks also for your website address which gives a very accurate description. I'll check and see if I can find matching serial numbersa on the tsuba, blade and saya match. Rod.

20th October 2008, 08:43 AM	#1
Rod Charters Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 48	Japanese Sword for Comments Hi I recently bought this Japanese sword at a local auction. I was told it is probably WWII era. As I know very little about Japanese swords wondering if I could get some feedback on it. Thanks Rod Attached Images

20th October 2008, 11:06 AM	#2
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Rod, This is a Japanese sword from the WWII area. If I'm not mistaken these swords are called shin gunto. I'm not an expert on this field, but there are some members around here who are. These swords where carried by officers and non commissioned officers. Some of these blades where hand made or partially handmade. If there is an inscription on the tang it tells more. Even the name of the smith who manufactured it. But many of these blades where made by mass production in factories. The sword is numbered. A sign of machine manufactory. Is the number of the scabbard equal? If so then you have a complete original WWII japanese shin gunto.

20th October 2008, 11:53 AM	#3
Royston Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Poole England Posts: 443	Rod, I agree with Henk, this is a shin gunto of WW 2 era. The cast alloy hilt identifies it as a NCO's sword rather than an officers whixh usually had binding. I have one of each and both are stamped with western numbers like yours is. Does anyone know why this is ? Regards Royston

20th October 2008, 11:53 AM	#4
stekemest Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Posts: 182	Hi, It's a WW2 Shin-gunto with machine made blade (called Showato). Peter

20th October 2008, 12:40 PM	#5
Rich Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: comfortably at home, USA Posts: 432	Yes, WW II NCO shingunto. Serial numbers on blade, tsuba and scabbard should match if it's all original. See my military swords page for examples of various types. All of these were machine made. http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/military.htm Rich

20th October 2008, 06:48 PM	#6
Rod Charters Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 48	Thanks very much to everyone for the comments as they were very enlightening. Rich thanks also for your website address which gives a very accurate description. I'll check and see if I can find matching serial numbersa on the tsuba, blade and saya match. Rod.