1944 Dated Signed Shin Gunto Japanese Army Officer Sword

The shin gunto sword has an overall length in the scabbard of approximately 40 inches, with a blade length of approximately 26 inches. The blade exhibits some very minor signs of age, but it is generally very clean and quite bright, while also displaying a visible temper line. The tang has a single mounting hole and it is signed 'Masanori', which appears with a Gifu stamp. His legal name was 'Noro Eikichi ', and he entered the Seki Guild Log on September 28 of Showa 15 [1940]. In the ranking of about 300 contemporary smiths carried out by Kurihara Akihide in 1942, 'Masanori' was given the rank of 'Ryoko no Retsue', or 'Skilled Artisan'. The 'Gifu' stamp reflects the acceptance of the blade by the Nagoya Arsenal, a stamp which was introduced into use in 1943. The tang is dated 'Showa 19th Year [1944], August'. The grip is covered in light sharkskin, and it is tightly wrapped in the traditional manner with golden brown fabric. Beneath the fabric on each side of the grip are the standard military menuki of three cherry blossoms, with a toned gilt finish. The tsuba guard is the solid style with four raised cherry blossoms in relief. The steel scabbard retains its olive brown paint. Overall the sword is in excellent condition. We photographed the sword with thr retaining peg removed – we will put it back in when we ship it.