1899 Pattern Civil Official Sword of Taiwanese Colonial Official

Signature: Unknown, did not disassemble.
Year Made:  Meiji era
Forging Pattern: unknown, probably machine made blade. 
Tempering Pattern: Sanbonsugi, probably etched.
Dimensions:  Blade Length:  25.5 inchesNakago: unknown 5 mm thick and 20 mm wide at Hamachi
Mountings:  Rare, 1899 pattern, colonial sword of hannin (junior) level official. Saya of brass and lacquered samé. "Rain" pattern habaki and guard with a "flip down" section to make the sword lie flat against a uniform. It has a sonin level tassel (senior official 3rd through 8th class). The grip under the plain backstrap is black lacquered samé wrapped in wire. The mounts and tassel are in excellent condition. As the sword is disassembled by unscrewing the Cherry blossom at the end of the hilt and it appears not to have been tampered with since it was assembled, we chose not to attempt to dismantle it for fear of breaking an irreplaceable part. 
Overall Condition:  Very good, the blade is very thin with bo-hi and is probably machine made by the looks of the very regular hamon visible near the habaki. It has scratches covering much of the surface but this does not detract from the overall excellent condition of such a rare find. A very unusual piece for the collector of Japanese militaria or of arms in general.