For today's posting, I'll be posting a follow-up photo album of my Japanese Katana sword that dates back to WW2. Before we get on with the new photos and some updates on the history, here is a link over to the original blog page giving the back story on this unique Katana:
sharky-fourbees.blogspot.com/2010/07/ww2-japanese-katana-sword.html
After consulting with several experts on the old Japanese swords, it seems that this particular Katana is most likely a military sword from before WW2. The only way to tell for sure would be to disassemble the sword by tapping out the two pegs on the grip and pulling things apart. But to do this, I would have to first unwrap the string wrapping on the grip, which would completely destroy the original "patina" of the grip! So for now, it will stay as found and I will just enjoy the story behind it and the great patina that it has acquired through the years.
It does appear that the sword is most likely a NCO grade sword (Non-Commissioned Officer). The leather wrapping over the scabbard denotes that it was set up for field combat use. The two hanger loops are usually found on the older, pre-WW2 swords. After the war begins, we see single hangers on the scabbards.
With all of that said, here is a complete album of photos........... if anyone has any insight or or information on this type of sword, I would love to hear from you!
At the end of WW2, the US GI's captured truck loads of the swords.......... literally! These were the number one war souvenirs sought out by the returning US soldiers.
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