Lot 785

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Description:

WORLD WAR II JAPANESE OFFICER'S KATANA
Finely-forged Japanese officer's sword, a Type 98 Shin Gunto, measuring 26 in. from the 'kissaki' (‘tip') to the ‘habaki' (‘stop'), and 35.5 in. overall. The tang is signed by the maker Sawada Kanemitsu of the Seki arsenal in Gifu, Mino Province. Research reveals the maker's real name to be Sawada Saburo, making ‘Sawada' his family name and ‘Kanemitsu' the family's swordsmith name. This name appears in the Seki Tanrensho Booklet printed in 1939. The exceptionally clean, hand forged WWII production blade is untarnished, and features a light komidare ‘hamon' (‘temper line'), one of the oldest hamon patterns. Must be seen, pictures simply do not do justice to the detailed work. The sword is mounted in a wood grip covered with white ray skin, wrapped with brown fabric laces and with three brass ‘menuki' in the form of cherry blossoms inserted beneath the wrappings, on either side. The ‘tsuba' (‘handguard') is of brass construction and decorated with four cherry blossoms at each corner. Adorning the pommel is a brown and blue officer's knot. The blade is housed in a brown leather ‘saya' (‘scabbard') with a thin wood liner and a single suspension ring. The scabbard bears evidence of being worn extensively in service/combat, due to wear to the leather and an 8 in. split at the back seam. Minimal areas of patina to the tsuba and menuki, otherwise no other flaws to this World War II produced Japanese Officer's Katana.

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*SEE ADITTIONAL SHIPPING ABOVE* -Shipments are sent via FedEx and DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option. Due to complications from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we will ship with USPS Priority Mail only if the buyer submits their request to us in writing and accepts responsibility for delayed shipments. Signature is always required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling and shipping charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items may not be shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee. Please allow 2-3 weeks for shipments after receipt of payment due to the high volume of packages being shipped.

November 30, 2023 10:00 AM EST
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000