Japanese WWII Type 32 Army Sword & Leather Knot, Otsu Model
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: $395.00

Sword and metal sheath. A clean 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. This example is an Otsu model, issued to soldiers in non-cavalry units, 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, 70384. Stamped steel guard with its original leather sword knot attached. Heavy steel backstrap which displays a deep checked design in the steel, below is an original finish wooden grip. Side locking mechanism works properly. Clean blue steel scabbard which retains nearly all of its original finish, no serial number to be seen. I believe this sword to be an arsenal re-worked example, which remained in Japanese inventory at the close of WWII. More information on this variation of sword can be found on page 127, Swords of Imperial Japan 1868-1945, by Jim Dawson. Some of the clues being a filled in rivet hole for the finger loop, no serial number on the scabbard, and a salt-blue scabbard finish.