SC0155
A sword belonging to a Japanese Imperial Army Colonel comes with Rare Number drag sheath. The numbers were rubbed off before it was surrendered to the Allied forces to avoid bringing shame to its owner who was from a samurai family as indicated in the family Mon on the handle.
The unsigned traditionally forged blade with beautiful hamon is 271/2 inch long with early high grade pierced Gunto mounting with all matching parts.
Very senior officers in the Imperial Army normally carried high quality family blade mounted in military koshirae.
The overall condition of the scabbard with its red and brown Colonel tassle has a tell sign that it went through some fierce battle before its surrender.
Cutting edge is 27 1/2" and very sharp.
From tip to end of handle in scabbard is 41 1/2.
The last picture shown the sword after some rusty and stained parts were polished off. Awaiting application of hadori and nugui later when my skill level improves.
I have a collection of Guntos with fine family blades that were remounted into military swords when their owners were called up to serve the emperor in WW2. Officers from lieutenants onwards were mostly from samurai clans and swords had a clan mon on its handle.
Normally, for a blade of this quality, I would have remounted it into a samurai koshirae but for this, I feel strongly that it should retain its old military mount to capture the battle scenes thru imaginary.
Price : NOT FOR SALE