£1,000
A JAPANESE SHOWA PERIOD SHIN GUNTO SWORD WITH WW2-ERA BRITISH ATTRIBUTION
With machine made blade mounted with copper habaki, brass seppa, brass plain tsuba, copper and leather fuchi which connects to leather covered saya, tsuka wrapped in ray skin, mounted with cast brass menuki under traditional ito cloth wrap and terminating in a plain copper kashira, tsuka is further adorned with hanging blue and brown tassel indentifying it as either a company or warrant officers, blade including tang 86cm long, blade including tsuka is 93cm long and full length including saya is 100cm long
Included with the lot is a Glengarry bonnet and selection of ephemera pertaining to the military service of Pte. Tom Colley of the Royal Scots, who acquired the sword during the mid-1940s. Together with various official documents (two Soldier's Service and Pay Books, Military Motor Vehicle License, Certificate of Transfer to the Royal Army Reserve, Soldier's Release Book etc.) are photographs of Pte. Colley, including two showing him with the sword.
Leather scabbard is generally in good order, though is scratched and marked over much of its length and showing a rich patina from handling. Blade is mostly clean, with a good sheen. There are patches of tarnish/light corrosion at points over its length. Cutting edge remains sharp with no apparent damage. Brass tsuba is heavily tarnished with some minimal verdigris patches. Handle is in good condition and solid. Again, there is wear through handling but no significant damage. The ray skin grip has separated between two pieces beneath the lace wrap.
Fees apply to the hammer price:
Room and Absentee Bids:
28.80% inc VAT*
Online and Autobids:
31.8% inc VAT*
