WWII GI BRING-BACK JAPANESE WAKIZASHI WITH MITSUBISH A6M ZERO HYDRAULIC SYSTEM DATA PLATE ON THE SCABBARD

WWII GI BRING-BACK JAPANESE WAKIZASHI WITH MITSUBISH A6M ZERO HYDRAULIC SYSTEM DATA PLATE ON THE SCABBARD

Hover to zoom

Image 1 Image 2 Image 3 Image 4 Image 5 Image 6 Image 7 Image 8 Image 9 Image 10 Image 11

$950.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 1202-2547

Shipping: Determined by Method & Location of buyer

To Order:
Call 717-334-0347,
Fax 717-334-5016, or E-mail

This Japanese wakizashi, the traditional companion short sword, was brought home by an American serviceman after World War II. It’s complete with its scabbard and fittings.

What makes it unusual is a section of a data plate from a Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter, wrapped around the top of the scabbard and held in place with tightly wound black cord. Research on file identifies it as the left-hand portion of the plate from the Zero’s hydraulic system, which operated the landing gear and flaps. A GI personalizing his souvenir with a piece of the most famous Japanese aircraft of the war would have done exactly this.

The plate is black-enameled metal with engraved kanji headings in a grid of boxes. Readable headings include part number (部品番號), manufacturing number (製造番號), empty weight in kilograms (自重 瓩), fluid type (油質), fluid capacity in liters (油量 立) and inspection stamp (檢印). The fluid fields are specific to the hydraulic unit. Pairing a Japanese sword with hardware from a Zero makes this a one-of-a-kind Pacific War souvenir.

The blade measures about 17½" from the habaki (blade collar) to the tip, with a shallow, graceful curve. The tang is unsigned, with two peg holes and a dark, untouched patina. The second peg hole suggests the blade was remounted during its working life and may predate the war. The habaki is made of copper.

The fittings are traditional rather than military. The tsuba (handguard) is iron with a lobed openwork design. The copper fuchi (collar) is decorated in relief with two figures: one drawing his sword while the other kneels with his head bowed. The copper kashira (pommel cap) shows a traveler in a wide straw hat with a staff over his shoulder, standing on rice bales. The handle has rayskin (samé) under a black braided wrap.

The scabbard is black lacquered wood with cord bindings and a textured metal end cap.

The blade shows age staining, light pitting and scattered scratches, with more wear toward the tip. It has not been polished. The handle wrap is loose and appears to be a later or field rewrap. The rayskin shows some darkening from age and wear. The scabbard lacquer does have a few small chips.   [gh][ph:L]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!

Inquire »

Inquire About WWII GI BRING-BACK JAPANESE WAKIZASHI WITH MITSUBISH A6M ZERO HYDRAULIC SYSTEM DATA PLATE ON THE SCABBARD

should be empty