1 difficult to find Japanese model 1883 Naval Kyu-Gunto Samurai Officer's sword. This rare Imperial Japanese Navy Officer's katana would make an important addition to any collection.
A sword in model 1883 Naval Kyu-Gunto sword mounts is rare. An example in exceptional condition is extremely difficult to find. The Naval mounts on this sword are mint. Of Kyu-Gunto mounted swords--just 1 in 40, or 1 in 50 is in Naval mounts--all others are Army. A sword like this does not come on the market very often.
Photos from reference books with information on the model 1883 Naval Kyu-Gunto have been provided in this listing. Photos 3 & 6 above are from Jim Dawson's book, Swords of Imperial Japan 1868-1945--Cyclopedia Edition. Photo 5 above is from the cover of Richard Fuller and Ron Gregory's book, Military Swords of Japan 1868-1945. Photos 1 & 2 below are also from Fuller & Gregory's book.
This sword has a Silver Samurai family mon on its backstrap. The last photo below is from the book Mon -- The Japanese Family Crest by W.M. Hawley and Kei Kaneda Chappelear. Note that is mon is off a cross over a chrysanthemum/kiku.
This sword has an ancestral Samurai blade. The blade dates to the 16th/17th century. The nakago/tang is unsigned. This sword will paper well. (This sword can be brought to shinsa in the U.S. (a shinsa team comes to the U.S. from Japan every 1 to 2 years) to get a determination of which smith made this sword. The time period it was made, and the quality of the blade are also provided by shinsa. The blade can also be sent to Japan for papering at any time. The blade measures 26 1/4" (66.7 cm) from blade tip to notch in the blade spine. This sword has a desirable, perfectly executed wavy hamon.
This old blade has two holes in the nakago. A horn mekugi holds the tsuka/handle to the blade.
The sharkskin-covered saya is very fine. All fittings are gilted in gold.
The habaki is covered in 24kt gold foil. A gold foil habaki is typically found on better swords.
This rare Japanese model 1883 Naval Kyu-Gunto Samurai Officer's sword is in exceptional condition. The wire wrap is perfect. The mounts are in mint condition.
The hamon and boshi are perfectly healthy. This sword is guaranteed against fatal flaws. The blade has occasional finish scratches and superficial oxidation. There are no nicks in the blade edge--this sword would polish well.
The saya finish is mint. The locking mechanism works perfectly.
Specific Name | Specific Value |
---|---|
Type | Model 1883 Naval Officer's Kyu-Gunto Sword |
Premium feature | Rarity! |
Country | Japan |
Period | Late 19th Century thru World War 2 |