Item #67874 : Original period manufacture. Sword and metal sheath. A decent example of a pattern of sword adopted in Meiji 32 (1899), in two styles, Ko, with a 32 3/4 inch blade, and Otsu, with a 30 1/2 inch blade. Our example is the Otsu pattern, as issued to other Japanese enlisted troops who needed a sword for service use. The polished steel blade is clean with scattered surface abrasions, no nicks in the cutting edge, or corrosion issues. Serial numbered on the ricasso, 6331. Stamped steel guard with arsenal proofs, no finger loop, so no corresponding hole in the guardHeavy steel backstrap which displays a deep checked design, matching the original finish wooden grip. Side locking bar is bent towards the blade surface, and does not lock into the guard. The blade to scabbard fit is not impeded. Cleaned steel patina finish scabbard, relatively dent-free, with scattered spots of corrosion along it's length. The drag is serial numbered 106858, I think, as there is some surface corrosion present.