WWII Japanese Army Officer Shin Gunto Sword

The sword has an overall length in the scabbard of approximately 39 inches with a blade length of approximately 26 inches. The blade is relatively bright, showing scattered spots and smudges, but the blade is without nicks, chips, or active rust. The blade has a visible temper line. The tsuba is the solid brass style. The grip is covered in light ray skin, with a wrap in the traditional fashion in dark brown fabric tape which has been repaired at the lower end. Beneath the wrap on each side are the standard military menuki of three cherry blossoms. The fabric wrap of the grip tightly covers the bamboo peg that retains the grip on the tang, preventing removal of the grip to examine the tang. The steel scabbard shows typical scuffs and scratches from use in the field but the paint is approximately 90 percent intact. Overall the sword is in very good condition.