A JAPANESE SHIN-GUNTO MILITARY SWORD WITH FIELD COVER
Circa 1930s–40s
A World War II period shin-gunto katana with traditional tsuba, brass military mounts, and ray-skin grip bound with brown silk. The tang shows two holes, with signs of earlier blade remounting. Complete with leather-covered scabbard and original leather field combat cover. The tang bears a two-hole mounting (niju mekugi-ana), suggesting the blade may be older than its WWII-era shin-gunto mounts. The mei (signature) appears partially obscured, overall length 93cm
| Estimate: |
£300 - £500
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Hammer price:
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£450 |
Bidding ended. Lot has been sold.
Signature analysis (mei):
The tang bears a two-hole mounting (niju mekugi-ana) suggesting the blade may be older than its WWII-era shin-gunto mounts. The mei appears to be a partially obscured kanji inscription, potentially indicating the smith’s name and/or province, though it is not fully legible in the photo. From what can be discerned, this could possibly be a Showa-to(machine-assisted WWII-era blade), though the double mekugi-ana opens the possibility of an older re-mounted blade (gendaito or earlier). To confirm, further close-up imaging and rust removal (by a specialist) would be required.
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