This Japanese sword is made in the heavily European influenced Kyu-Gunto style with a French style brass hilt with floral open-work guard with knucklebow and floral decorated pommel cap, made integral with a textured backstrap and side ears. The side ears bear a cherry blossom with ten petals, indicating an army officer’s sword. This pattern came in about 1875 as Japan looked westward toward industrialization, and modern arms. They were modified slightly in 1886, Meiji year 19, giving them a “Type-19” designation, and officially replaced in 1934 with Shin-Gunto styles harking back to the Samurai past, but likely remained in use for some time.

This follows the company grade pattern, using a wire-bound horn grip, and less ornate casting to the gilt brass hilt. The wire grip binding very European in style with a larger central wire appearing braided, flanked by two plain, untwisted straight wires. The blade also shows its European influence in the presence of a long ricasso, which is not unusual in this type, but also with a spearpoint tip, which is, as is the lack of a prominent temper line. The reverse ricasso shows some impressed Japanese markings.

The sword measures 000 overall in the scabbard and has a 000-inch blade. The blade is machine-made and plated, as is usual for the pattern. The blade shows some rubs. The metal scabbard has carrying ring, throat and drag in place, shows a couple of shallow dents, some thin rust on the drag, and some rubs and spotting. The grip is good and the wire seems to be all there, but has sprung loose.  [sr] [ph:m]

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