Japanese Type 32 Army Sword, Otsu Pattern

Original period manufacture. A pattern of sword introduced in 1899 and remaining in production until the early 1930's. It was available in two very similar models, 'Ko' with a 32 3/4 inch blade for cavalry troops and 'Otsu' with a 30 1/2 inch blade issued to other IJA enlisted troops requiring a sword for service use.  Our sword is the Otsu model with a polished steel blade measuring 30 1.4 inches with a cleaned finish exhibiting old corrosion pitting along its length. Japanese Kanji can be seen on the obverse ricasso and a serial number 66411 on the reverse. Steel guard and pommel with a checkered steel backstrap. Wooden grip with a checkered finish. The guard shows heavy corrosion pitting but has been cleaned and now presents a dark steel patina. The grips show staining from age but no major chipping, just a few minor surface chips at the ferrule. Being a later production sword there is no hole in the guard for a leather finger loop. Fairly dent free steel scabbard with a post production ordnance tan paint finish. The drag has been painted over so we cannot read the serial number to know if the scabbard and blade match.