Type 25 Cavalry Sword for NCOs and Soldiers

30.5" blade length. 36.75" overall with scabbard and hilt. Brass guard with smooth brass backstrap incorporating a knurled latch button, smooth wood grip, and a steel scabbard with a single ring. Item features a tang screw on pommel cap with flush fitting bolt. Blade is serial numbered 14013 on the left blade near the guard. Scabbard throat is lined in brass, and the hilt mounts a rivet secured leather finger ring. Drag is weakly numbered 575. Machine made blade features a 29.5" fuller with the blade without a hamon line. Blade left the factory unsharpened but shows ssigns of sharpening along its length.

The Type 25 pattern cavalry sword was authorized for NCOs and soldiers on March 19, 1892. Combining Japanese blade geometry with European pattern furnishings, the Type 25 typified the swords designed for Imperial Japan's forces in the late 19th Century. It is suspected that the Tokyo Artillery Arsenal manufactured fewer than 17,000 Type 25 swords. In 1934, propelled by rising nationalist sensibilities, Japanese swords began to adopt more traditional forms based upon the iconic Tachi style, and displaced the European influenced blades.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Condition
Good. Blade is primarily bright with some small bites and a single notch along the blade. A gray patina is forming near the tip, and the blade shows rough polishing marks from multiple efforts at sharpening. All brass components are tarnished, and the grip shows some light dents. Brown patina has formed over the hilt bolts with the texturing worn down on the latch. Leather finger ring shows cracking and flaking overall. Scabbard has assorted handling mars, wear, and scuffs overall, along with patches of patina and oxidation near the drag. Shallow number on the scabbard indicates it was likely buffed at some point.