WW2 1944 Dated Japanese Officer’s Arsenal Gunto Sword With Smith Signed Tang ‘KATSU NORI’, Scabbard With Leather Field Service Cover, Expert Assessment & Carry Bag / Cover. Sn 20891 Sword

WW2 1944 Dated Japanese Officer’s Arsenal Gunto Sword With Smith Signed Tang ‘KATSU NORI’, Scabbard With Leather Field Service Cover, Expert Assessment & Carry Bag / Cover. Sn 20891 - 20891

An original late WW2 Japanese officers sword. The sword has been assessed by UK Japanese sword expert Bill Tagg. A copy of his hand written notes and illustrations accompany the sword. In extracts from his notes he states “An arsenal blade (no stamps) Murato bar stock steel, oil tempered with an artificial temperline put on with polishing stones. Late war quality dated 1944 signed ‘Katsu or Kiyo or Tatsu Nori’ (Katsu Nori is the preferred reading). In bright condition. Only one man in my books using this name. An R.J.J (army approved smith) in Tottori. Family name Yoshida probably not him. He was a good smith. Couple of finger marks some scratches. Saya plain honoki wood (no paint) with a tidy leather cover. Tsuba gunto pattern, cast brass all its gilt. Late war quality mixed metal seppa washers. Tsuka hilt gunto pattern all complete brown ito bind and fish skin intact. Hilt mounts all their finish. No sarute loop. Menuki lost its gilt. A very tidy example of a late war arsenal officer’s Gunto”. In his illustrations of the tang and blade he describes the cutting edge of the blade length as 65 cm & full length as 85.5 cm. He also translates the tang date and smith signature and describes other blade characteristics and dimensions (illustrated in image 2). The sword is accompanied by a cloth carry bag cover. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 20891

£1,275.00