Army Parade Sword Translation Requested

[paxton25]

thank you for reading, I am a new collector that started with a nice late Shin Gunto and a Wakizashi a friend sold me. I recently was offered a deal on a couple of parade swords which I will post in the other topics later as I have questions on those. I checked the links page as requested to learn certain Kanji but the only link I saw that had Kanji on it is a dead link. If I should check a link first I would be happy to, but I am not sure it would help with this one. The person I got it from said he was told the inscription was that it was awarded to someone as a marksmanship prize. I have a friend that is working in Japan and asked him to ask around for a translation but he and his friends are very young and they said they did not recognize many of the words. Any guidance would be helpful, I look forward to learning and hopefully educating myself enough to help others. I am including pictures for reference. 

Byron S

[John A Stuart]

It is saying this sword is a presentation with affection for academic excellence. 贈贈撃優等者   John

[PNSSHOGUN]

Usually these inscriptions detail Academy prizes, Imperial Gifts or other such auspicious occasions were a student has performed at the top of their class and were given the sword as a prize.

[paxton25]

Ahh, thank you very much, similar to what I was told, an award but it was for academics. I appreciate the help. I will be posting my other one in the other forums. Thank you again. 

 

Byron S

[SteveM]

贈

 

射撃優等者

 

Presented for excellence in marksmanship

[John A Stuart]

Somehow my kanji replicated two 贈 and deleted the 射 which was critical for it being a shooting reward. Should have been 贈射撃優等者 Darn it. John

[paxton25]

 

贈

 

射撃優等者

 

Presented for excellence in marksmanship

 

 

Oh OK so the original translation I was given was correct then? Thank you again!