Bidspirit auction | Late WWII Imperial Japanese Army

Late WWII Imperial Japanese Army Type 95 NCO Katana with Carved Wood Handle - This is an Imperial Japanese Army Type 95 Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) sword, a variant produced during the final stages of World War II. The blade is of traditional curved katana form and features a single bo-hi or longitudinal groove. The steel surface exhibits a matte grey patina with areas of surface oxidation, staining, and scattered scratches. The hilt is constructed from carved wood with a cross-hatch diamond pattern, a simplified design adopted late in the war to simulate traditional silk cord wrapping. The hilt is fitted with a simple iron pommel cap featuring a lanyard hole, a single metal menuki ornament, and a metal bolt-type fastener. The iron guard or tsuba is of four-lobed mokko shape and is decorated with chased designs of bamboo stalks and birds. The scabbard is made of wood with a black lacquered finish and retains its metal throat and decorative metal end cap. This lot consists of 1 sword with its corresponding scabbard. Overall Length: Approximately 34.5 inches Blade Length: Approximately 26 inches.