Original Japanese Pre-WWII Army Company Grade Officer's 1886 Pattern Type 19 Kyu-Gunto Sword with Nickel Plated Steel Scabbard

Original Item: Only One Available. The first standard sword of the Japanese military was known as the kyu-gunto (旧軍刀, old military sword). Murata Tsuneyoshi (1838-1921), a Japanese general who previously made guns, started making what was probably the first mass-produced substitute for traditionally made samurai swords. These swords are referred to as "Murata-to" and they were used in both the Sino-Japanese war (1894-1895) and the Russo-Japanese war (1904-1905). There were many different patterns that came into being during the many decades they were being produced.

This is a very nice example of a Pre-WWII era Type 19 Army Company Grade Officer Kyu-Gunto, complete with the original nickel plated steel scabbard. This sword was most likely produced during the WWI or Interwar era, before the fittings were switched to aluminum, and construction simplified. It was made for an arsenal forged Katana style blade, which requires the older 1886 pattern fittings, which were designed around traditionally made blades. This differs from parade versions with the much European style smaller bent handle. These were real swords, sturdily built for actual use. We very rarely see Kyu-gunto swords from the WWII era with forged blades, with most being for parade use. We checked the tang, and there are no markings, and it has a standard arsenal style tang. This specific type is described and pictured in the book Swords of Imperial Japan 1868-1945: Cyclopedia Edition by Jim Dawson, pages 62-69.

Offered in very good service used condition, the nickel-plated blade is still quite sharp having been sharpened for use during service. The plating is still retained at about 80%. as the sharpening removed the plating near the edge, and almost looks like a faux hamon. We can see some nicks in the edge of the blade, so it definitely saw some real use. Blade length is approximately 25 1/2 inches and overall length of the sword is 34 7/8 inches. It features a a Futsu 普通 (regular) Nakago (tang) with a Kiri (cut) nakago-jiri (tang tip), which we often see on arsenal made Kai-Gunto. It has the typical shinogi-zukuri shape used on katanas, along with a bo'hi fuller. It is very similar to the blade used on early Type 95 NCO swords, though a bit smaller in size.

The hilt is an ornate multi-piece brass example, with excellent embossed designs and pebbling on the back strap and collar. The metal originally fully gilt, however this example looks to have seen a good amount of use in the field, which along with cleaning has worn away the gilding from the raised areas, while the more recessed areas still retain it. The pebbling is also a bit worn on the back strap. It has Cherry Blossom emblems jutting out from the back strap, usually indicating Imperial Japanese Army use, as they are the "double" type with 10 petals. It has a very elongated European style guard, to allow for the longer grip on the 1886 pattern hilt.

The grip is fully wrapped in lovely ray skin shagreen, which has been ground and polished a bit, and is in very good condition. The original twisted brass wire wrapping is still present and in very good shape. The guard does not fold down, as some do, and there is a bit of play in the fittings. The mekugi (peg) is a two piece brass type that screws together, which can easily be removed to see the hilt if desired.

The scabbard (saya) is steel with a wood interior, and in very good condition, showing just a few dents from service. It is nickel plated, and now shows some oxidation and plating loss from age and use. It is a very simple design scabbard, patterned after European swords of the 19th century, and has a single hanger ring near the top.

Overall this is a really nice example of this type of sword, which would make a worthy addition to any Japanese military collection. Ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 25 1/2"
Blade Style: Shinogi-Zukuri (鎬造り) Katana Style with Fuller
Overall length: 34 7/8“
Guard: 4”W x 8”L
Scabbard Length: 28"

More in the Kyu-Gunto:
The kyu gunto was used from 1875 until 1934, it closely resembled European and American swords of the time, with a wraparound hand guard (also known as a D-Guard) and chrome plated scabbard (saya), the steel scabbard is said to have been introduced around 1900.

Prior to 1945, many kyū guntō were distributed to commissioned officers to fill a demand for swords to Japan's expanding military officer classes. To distinguish individuality, wealth or craftsmanship, many swords were produced in batches as small as 1–25 to maintain the legacy of sword culture. Styles varied greatly, with inspirations drawn from swords of early periods, familial crests, and experimental artistic forms that the Meiji Restoration period had begun to introduce. Some examples have included European style silverworking, jade, cloisonné, or metalwork and paint for artistic relief.

Kyu-gunto swords, also called Russo-Japanese swords, were used by Army, Cavalry and Naval officers during the Russo-Japanese War and WWII. This style of mounting was used from 1883 until 1945. Like shin-gunto, a great variety of quality in both blades, traditional and machine made, and mounts is seen in kyu-gunto swords. Many variations are found in the scabbards of kyu-gunto swords including chromed metal, lacquered wood or leather covered wood with brass fixtures. Any style scabbard may have a leather field cover. Those swords with elongated hilts and mekugi (peg for holding blade into hilt) are more likely to have hand forged blades, while the swords lacking mekugi generally are machine made and may have chromed blades. The backstraps of naval kyu-gunto swords have no side pieces while army kyu-gunto and colonial swords have side pieces with various emblems on the backstrap.