1176

SHIN-GUNTO KATANA.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:250.00 USD Estimated At:500.00 - 800.00 USD
SHIN-GUNTO KATANA.
Overall length: 37 1/2". Blade length: 26 1/4". Blade is out of polish and we are unable to determine the hamon. Copper habaki. The nakago has a single mekugi-ana and one side of the nakago has a 5-character signature for Kanemoto of Hizen Provence. There is also a white painted number “1/32” on this side. The opposite side has a 5-character signature with a smaller 2-character signature below. The 5-character signature denotes the sword as being made in the 16th year of Showa (1941). The small 2-character signature translates to “Safeguard the Country”. The plain heavy brass tsuba has a very large rayed seppa above & below, along with two normal-sized brass seppa. The tsuka has a light tan tsuka-ito with white same and 3-cherry blossom menuki. Matching fuchi & kabuto-gane. Wooden saya with black leather covering featuring dual suspension rings. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: a sword record sheet describing the marks on the nakago and a note stating the sword was brought back from Japan in 1945 by PFC John A. Helbling. CONDITION: blade has a mottled gray patina and, as stated, is out of polish. There appears to be no damage to the blade. The tsuka shows moderate wear but, again, no appreciable damage. Saya shows light wear with the remnants of a taped paper note attached. (02-21829/BF). $500-800.