This is a Japanese WWll Army officer`s sword in mountings, the blade is signed "Toshi X X 敏X X", dated "Nisen Roppyaku-nen (19409 二千六百年) with 関 inspection stamp,shinogi-zukuri shape, WWll time period made blade. The signature is faded due to the heavy rust, seems to be "Toshimasa 敏正".
The blade is in old polish, shows fine scratches, light stains but no rust and in decent condition. The temper line is wavy gunometemper throughout the blade and has deep temper at the point. Forging grain is tight, no openings, no blisters and no forging flaws. There are no bends, no nicks, no cracks and cutting edge is sharp.
The scabbard is black lacquered wood, shows minor lacquer loss but no cracks, no dents and in decent condition. Handle is tight fit, tsuka-ito wrapping has no cuts, not loose and in good condition. Tsuba is WWll time period made mokko shape iron tsuba with nice patina.It measures 26+1/4" tip to the guard, 25+1/2" cutting edge, 1+3/16" width, 6 mm thickness at the notch and 39+1/4" in mountings. This sword was brought back by a PFC Harold Aber. Who served in the 6th Infantry Division US Army. It is said he captured it in the Philippines in Luzon in 1945 off of a Japanese Officer.
