1 rare short Japanese WW II Officer Pilot/Tank Crew sword available.  The sword blade is an old Samurai naginata naoshi mounted for service in World War II.  This naginata naoshi sword mounted for carry in the compact quarters of a cockpit or tank is quite rare.  

This Samurai blade is signed.  The blade measures 19 7/16" (49.4 cm).  The handle is one-handed--and is about 1/2 the length of a katana handle.  The saya is light in weight--it is the finer lacquer over canvas over wood, instead of lacquer over metal.  

The blade spine tapers just above the bohi (blade grooves), and then widens again at the blade tip. 

This Japanese WW II Samurai pilot/tank crew sword is in very fine condition.  There are no nicks in the blade.  There is no rust, only an occasional light stain or mark.  The silk wrap next to the kashira (pommel fitting) has a little fraying on one side.  All fittings are perfectly tight--all fit perfectly.  The lock mechanism functions perfectly.  There are some chips in the saya lacquer.