Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. The end of WWII marked the beginning of the sword ownership ban in Japan. By law, Japanese citizens were forbidden to own swords. General McArthur did not want the general population to be able to arm again. Most soldiers and citizens surrendered their swords to the American occupying forces.
The Americans destroyed a large number of swords by dumping them into the ocean or by melting them. But a small percentage made its way back to the United States and into the collector market by way of "War Trophies" brought home by returning USGIs. The majority of Japanese swords at large are the result these actions.
This is a great example of one such sword, a WWII Japanese Type 95 NCO Samurai Sword or katana, brought home by a USGI after the war, still contained in the original bring back crate. It even has the original bring back CERTIFICATE, indicating that DAVE T. SHEFFEY serial number 4113?216, was permitted to mail 1 JAP SABER back to the United States. It has the correct signatures, and has unfortunately torn a bit over the years, so one of the numbers in the serial number is not legible. The paper is in multiple pieces, and is in a magnetic clear plastic display stand.
The original bring back crate is also included, and measures 43 inches long, and about 4 1/2 inches on each side. It is missing one of the ends, but it still has the original address information on the outside.
The return address is:
T/5 D. T. SHEFFEY
APO 24 - C/O PM. - S.F.C.
and the mailing address is:
MR + MRS J. J. Sheffey SR.
54 Lehman Street
Lebanon, P.A.
The same information is on another side of the box, and there are the relevant postage and inspection stamps present, though it looks like one large label was destroyed by insects.
Dave T. Sheffey was a Technician Fifth Grade in the United States Army, an enlisted rank equivalent to Corporal. Technicians possessed specialized technical skills and were generally not front line soldiers. This is a great research opportunity, especially with the address and names given.
The sword itself is a standard Type 95 NCO sword with steel scabbard, featuring a cast aluminum handle and machine made fullered blade. Blade is 26 1/4 inches long, with an overall length of 36 1/4 inches. The grip wrapping and menuki are cast-formed, and then painted to give the illusion of fabric wrappings and gilt menuki.
The design copies the typical WWII Imperial Japanese Army style fittings, known as the "New Military Sword" ( 新軍刀 - shin guntou) style, with a single hanger ring and bolster on the scabbard. It is said that during battle soldiers would not use the ring but rather would stick the sword through the belt the same way as the Samurai in ancient times.
All NCO swords were numbered, and this example has matching serial number 78885 on both the blade and the throat of the scabbard. Most swords do not have matching numbers because somewhere along the life of the sword the scabbard was changed.
The sword is complete with the metal locking spring tab that secures the blade to the scabbard. This prevents the sword from falling when the soldier is running. Traditionally this function is assigned to the Habaki (blade collar). But machine made swords like this one do not have the accuracy of manufacturing that enable the Habaki to perform such a function.
NCO Katanas were issued to soldiers who did not want to take their family sword to battle or who came from poor families that did not have swords to pass down through the generations.
The condition of this sword is very good, though the blade definitely does show some wear. There are a few nicks on the edge of the blade, and is also staining and some past oxidation. It is however still relatively sharp. The brown paint on the hilt has worn, as it did not really stick well to the aluminum. However it still has the correct yellow highlighting on the "menuki" and cherry blossom on the pommel. The scabbard still has some of the original olive green paint present, with the expected oxidation where it has worn away.
Overall a good service worn condition WW2 Type 95 NCO Katana, brought back by a USGI after the war. This is an item that will almost certainly appreciate in value over the coming years. Ready to display!
Specifications:
Blade Length: 26 1/4"
Blade Style: Katana
Overall length: 36 1/4“
Scabbard Length: 29"
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
