IMPERIAL JAPANESE ARMY: SHIN GUNTO OFFICERS SWORD.

A Type 98 Officers Shin Gunto sword. [Japan: 1943-44.]

A Type 98 Officers Shin Gunto sword. [Japan: 1943-44.] A ceremonial Japanese Army sword, with a dulled steel blade, tsuba and handle, two brown tassel cords, the scabbard of painted wood, with painted-metal decoration, and one mounting point. Length 970 mm. 38 inches.

The Type 98 was adapted from the traditional type 95 Shin Gunto sword and was first issued to officers as a ceremonial sword in 1938, and was in production until 1945, with changes in its quality of construction as shortages of materials developed, later in the war. This sword can be dated to around 1943-44, with its painted wooden scabbard, (less metal) and cheaper brass ornamentation. It has a painted metal tsuba, and a ray handle but with cloth wrappings rather than silk, and in addition the scabbard has just the one hanging mount. The colored tassels are brown indicating it was for use by a Sergeant or a Corporal.