Type 19 sword with unknown decoration

[kleber75]

Hello,

I got this sword some time ago and I still have no idea what this chain was good for. It has a small carabiner hook. 

Any idea for what the golden chain around the guard was used? 

[Bruce Pennington]

Hi Jens, welcome!

I don't know about the chain, maybe someone else will.  Nice looking 19, and interesting saya cover.  Does it look new, like something added post-war, or is it old?

[Rawa]

Pommel is for ww2 gunto? 

[Bruce Pennington]

The Type 8 was commissioned in 1875, the 19 in 1886, and there were no changes that I am aware of through the end of WWII.

[kleber75]

1 hour ago, Bruce Pennington said:

  Does it look new, like something added post-war, or is it old?

 

 

This is the question. The only thing I can say is that someone put a lot of effort into this

 

 

 

 

star_border

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[kleber75]

1 hour ago, Rawa said:

Pommel is for ww2 gunto? 

Yes, kyu guntos   have a ball type corded knot. But these swords saw service until 1945 so I do not think that the owners took care about which Pommel they used. May be that the former owner took whatever was at hand, esqecially later in the war. Or it was added postwar. I got this sword directly from Japan...so, nobody can know. But due to the cover the saya is in a very good condition!

[Lareon]

I can answer about the chain i think, it's very similar to the chain loop from a high class Kai Gunto, I have a gunto with the full chain mountings. Let me find a picture

[Lareon]

not sure about that second chain you have. but the smaller chain looks to be similar to this

[japanesewarriors]

The small chain around the guard looks to me to be a watch chain, personal belongings of the officer

[kleber75]

Interestingly, my chain is only decorated on one side. We probably won't be able to sort out the ensemble anymore. 
I think I'll take the chain off, because the way it's attached, it'll just ruin the  fabric of the tassel... 

[Lareon]

can you give us a close up shot of the decoration?

[kleber75]