Hefty WW II Era Katana with High End Mounts
Signature:There is no signature as such but an inscription something to the effect of "Edged Weapon Military Co." and on the reverse Shinbu-to or warrior or battle sword (once again our thanks to Harry Watson of afuresearch.com for the translation of difficult mei).
Year Made: WW II era
Forging Pattern: Unable to tell, most likely muji.
Tempering Pattern: Midare.
Dimensions: Blade Length: 26.75 inchesNakago: 8.5 inches 6 mm thick and 33 mm wide at Hamachi
Mountings: High quality '34 pattern army shin-gunto mounts in good condition. Numbers on tsuba and seppa match and appear to be original to the sword. The handle wrap is in good condition over high quality large nodule samé. The fittings and sarute are of higher than average quality and in good condition. The paint on the saya has cracked and is flaking in places.
Overall Condition: Good, the sword appears to have been cleaned, leaving a bright chrome-like finish on one side with the hamon only visible for an inch or so near the yokote. The other side has had hazuya stones or very fine sand paper used on it to make the hamon visible, with the exception of the kissaki. It is covered with light scratches, some marks which appear to be from contact with another sword (not deep) and a few small nicks. It is difficult to tell if this is a traditionally made sword or not. It has no arsenal stamps of any kind but the number 122 is stamped on the nakago mune. Given the mei, I would suspect a non-traditionally made sword. It is however a very nice example of a WW II era army sword in quality mounts with a tempered edge and well done yasurimei and engraving. An excellent sword for the collector of militaria who is looking for a Japanese military sword.