croftonaviation

Here are a few closeups of the scabbard. just a thought. Could this have been late enough in the war that the latch was omitted, yet you would still want to present a Japanese Officer with a nice looking sword, hence the plug and the filler in the handle?

Last part, let me know if any other photos are needed and I’ll get them taken. again, thanks tom

Part 2

Bruce here are the photos. It looks like as suggested it one had a latch and it was removed. I can’t imagine why? It also looks like whatever was done was done some years in the past. I appreciate your help. thanks tom

John, thank you for the quick reply. Glad to know it is a legitimate sword. I know a lot of collectors don’t like “non traditional” blades but as a wwii collector I am super pleased to add it to my collection. Would this basically be a private purchase item similar to a type 94? And thank you for the blade care advice. It has been properly wiped down and put away for the night. best regards tom

A few more, thank you

More photos

Good evening. Today a gentleman selling things from his dads estate offered this sword to me. I am coming to you for help on if this is a “real” war time Japanese sword. I believe the blade to be machine made as there is no Harmon. The scabbard is unlike anything I would expect to see on something like this, but that is why I am here, hat in hand to ask the experts. I also noticed many of the pieces are marked with a “37”. I have not done anything to the sword other than take photos. thank you in advance tom

Thank you both for the reply! Here is a link with a few more pics of the scabbard showing the paint. Grey, thanks for identifying the maker, I have lots of reading to do. That paint sure looks like a close match, almost ivory in color. Thanks again guys, Tom https://imgur.com/a/o0PvDkm

Hello and good evening. I was directed to your site by a gentleman on the falfiles. I am a amateur historian and enjoy collecting items of interest from the Second World War. I picked up this sword the other day. I believe it to be a mid to late war type 98 officers sword. The pin (I understand I am not using proper Japanese sword terminology and apologize in advance) that hold the handle on came out without to much difficulty. The handle came off after 15-20 good wacks to the back of my hand. The scabbard has been painted white and in places green can be seen under the white paint. It appears as though the scabbard (wood by the way) was painted and then the hardware was applied. The blade appears to have some attempted polishing at some point. Under the handle is a significant amount of rust. The only markings I can see are the kanji characters. I have a link to a few pictures. I have the following few questions. 1. Is it legit? 2. Any idea on the white scabbard? The pain appears to be an older enamel. 3. Any idea on the characters as to a date of manufacture? I appreciate any responses in advance and thank you for allowing me to join your community. Tom https://imgur.com/a/8MWqQId