Japanese Kai-gunto naval sword
Measurements
Identified on page 138 of Fuller and Gregory's "Japanese Military and Civil
swords and dirks" as being a 1934 pattern Army shin-gunto with naval
characteristics.
Paraphrased from the book: "The pommel, hilt ornaments, scabbard throat,
suspension mount, strengthening band, and chape are all standard shin-gunto
pattern. However, the scabbard is wooden with a glossy black lacquered
finish over a canvas base, the hilt is covered with a black canvas under a
brown tape binding, and the oval tsuba (guard) is blackened steel. These
three features are normally associated with the naval kai-gunto. ... The
'mixed' appearance seems to indicate usage by officers and/or Warrant
Officers of the Naval Landing Forces ... However, the use of canvas hilt
covering instead of same indicates mid- or late-war production, perhaps as a
joint Army/Navy sword ... "
length: 36 1/2"
blade: 26 1/2"
blade width: 1 1/4"
grip: 9 1/2"
tsuba: 3 1/8"
weight: 2 lbs 10 oz
09/11/02