WWII Japanese Army Officer Shin Gunto Sword Signed Kunihiro with G.I. Attribution

The sword was brought back to the United States as a souvenir by Anthony J. Flacco of Aston, Pennsylvania, who served in the Pacific with the 27th Infantry Division. The officer’s sword has an overall length in the scabbard of approximately 39 inches with a blade length of approximately 26 inches. The blade has a distinctive, wavy temper line. It appears to be somewhat cloudy and this may well be the result of old, dried oil, so the blade might respond well to a careful cleaning. The blade is without nicks, chips, or active rust, although there is a very small dark inclusion near the spine of the bade in the center on one side. The tang is signed “Kunihiro”. The tsuba is the familiar solid style of brass with cherry blossoms in relief at the corners. The grip is covered in white ray skin. It is wrapped in the traditional fashion in brown silk tape. The standard military menuki of three cherry blossoms is beneath the wrapping on both sides. The metal scabbard retains more than 90% of its olive brown paint. The sword is in overall excellent condition, with the company grade officer sword tassel still tied to the pommel.