East Asia, Japan, World War II period, ca. 1934 to 1945 CE. A Japanese officer's sword known as a type 94 gunto katana (also shin gunto or kyuyon-shiki gunto) with a machine-forged steel blade. The handle is covered with stingray skin panels adorned with brass cherry blossom menuki on either side, wrapped with cotton bindings, and topped with an ornate brass pommel with a suspension loop. The handle has a compressible release button on one side to free it from the sheath. A brass hand guard features fine cherry blossom motifs, and below is the single-edged steel blade bearing a uniform spine and sharpened edge. The brass sheath is adorned with ring fittings as well as a suspension loop near the top, and the wooden interior lining is non-abrasive to the blade. Size: 2.3" W x 39.375" H (5.8 cm x 100 cm); (blade): 27" L (68.6 cm)

Provenance: private Centennial, Colorado, USA collection, inherited from relative

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#157008

Minor nicks and abrasions to sheath, blade, and handle, with expected desiccation and staining to cotton handle wraps, otherwise intact and very good. Nice patina throughout. Blade release button still functions as intended.