Mint Tenshozan Kai Gunto in Samezaya. WW2 Navy Officer's Sword with Sharkskin scabbard

Signature: TenShoZan TanRenJo Shaku
Year Made: Showa 18 (1943), Second Month. 
Forging Pattern:  Muji
Tempering Pattern:   Suguha
Dimensions:   Nagasa:   26 5/16", Nakago:  7 15/16", Mihaba:  1 3/16", Sakihaba:  7/8", Kasane:  5/16", Sori:  7/16"  
Mountings:  Nice say with same showing only minor dents consistent with normal use.  The tsuka is very solid with nice black lacquered same.  The ito and cord are solid with no real fraying.  The habaki is silver washed copper. With original tassle. 
Overall Condition:  The blade is in great shape with only a few very minor abrasions. All original swords in this condition are getting very hard to find, this rates as one of the nicest condition Kai guntos I have seen. Tenshozan is a forge in Kamakura that made top quality stainless blades for the Navy. These swords have a very elegant shape, reminiscent of old Bizen tachis.  Steel is tempered and is capable of shaving brass.  The smith Fujiwara Kanenaga worked at Tenshozan used steel from Manchuria to make these blades and was able to make nioi based hamon, previously thought impossible.