Original Item: One of a Kind. Recently purchased at a large military show, this is a great USGI Bring-Back Japanese Officer Wakizashi in a Shin-Gunto military setting, with a leather covered wooden scabbard. A Shin-Guntō (新軍刀, new military sword) is a weapon and symbol of rank used by the Imperial Japanese Army between the years of 1935 and 1945.

Unlike most we have seen, this example is not fitted with a Katana blade, but instead with the shorter Wakizashi (脇差) blade, a shorter type of sword used more for indoor use. Research indicates that these were specially made for the tighter quarters of Tanks and Aircraft, where every inch counts.

Offered in very good condition, the blade is still sharp and does not have any nicks or dents on the blade edge that we can see. Overall the polish on the blade has however degraded, with some signs of light speckling and overall wear from cleaning. Blade length is approximately 21 inches and overall length 30 1/2 inches. The wakizashi has an arsenal made blade with a Futsu 普通 (regular) Nakago (tang) with kiri (cut) nakago-jiri (tang tip). This indicates that it was cut down through the process of suriage, and there are two mounting holes on the tang, further confirming this. It was most likely customized for its use with Tankers & Pilots.

The blade mountings are the classic later WWII era Type 94/98 Army Shin-Gunto style, brass with gilt accents. Rounded "quince" shaped tsuba (cross guard) with brass Imperial Army cherry blossom menuki (grip decoration), and a nice Kabuto-Gane (Pommel Cap). The cross guard and pommel cap have matching cherry blossom motifs. The fuchi (grip collar) is plain brass. There are 2 Seppa (spacers) around the cross guard, made from what looks to be aluminum. The blade collar (habaki) looks to be bronze alloy, maybe with some plating.

The handle (tsuka) has an nice stingray skin (Sa-Me) grip, which is fully intact. It has a very nice olive green Ito (cloth binding), which shows little to no wear. There is a single wooden securing peg (mekugi) still present, however it is a most likely a replacement. The scabbard is wood with brass fittings and a leather scabbard cover. It has a single hanger ring, and is reduced in length to fit the shorter blade.

A very nice Japanese WWII Tanker & Pilot's officer Sword! This is a real USGI bring-back from WWII, ready to display and cherish!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 21"
Blade Style: Wakizashi
Overall length: 30 1/2“
Scabbard Length: 25 1/4"

It has been over one thousand years ago that the art of making swords appeared in Japan. The swordsmiths of the time may not have known it but they were creating a legendary sword. The Samurai sword has seen combat in many battlefields. From the early days of the Samurai warrior to the fierce battles in the South Pacific during WWII.

Each hand-made Samurai sword is unique because it is forged from folded steel stock. A tremendous amount of work is dedicated to creating these pieces. They were an instrument of war as much as a beautiful artifact to adorn a room.

The Samurai sword has grown to be one of the most highly desired military antiques.