Japanese Type 32 Army Sword, Otsu Pattern
This item is listed for historical interest only. It was listed on our site previously but has been sold and is no longer available for purchase.
Sold for: $165.00

Original period manufacture. A pattern of sword introduced in 1899 and remaining in production until the early 1930's. It was available in two very similar models, "Ko" with a 32 3/4 inch blade for cavalry troops and "Otsu" with a 30 1/2 inch blade issued to other IJA enlisted troops requiring a sword for service use.  Our sword is the Otsu model with a polished steel blade measuring 30 1.4 inches with a cleaned finish exhibiting old corrosion pitting along its length. Japanese Kanji can be seen on the obverse ricasso and a serial number 66411 on the reverse. Steel guard and pommel with a checkered steel backstrap. Wooden grip with a checkered finish. The guard shows heavy corrosion pitting but has been cleaned and now presents a dark steel patina. The grips show staining from age but no major chipping, just a few minor surface chips at the ferrule. Being a later production sword there is no hole in the guard for a leather finger loop. Fairly dent free steel scabbard with a post production ordnance tan paint finish. The drag has been painted over so we cannot read the serial number to know if the scabbard and blade match.