SOLD - T98 Japanese Army Officer's Sword

Description

1/30/24 - This is an original WW2 production Japanese Army T98 Officer sword. The sword is a factory-made example with standard Army fittings, handle, and sheath. The blade edge measures about 27.25 inches long with light surface oxidation throughout. The tempered edge is still visible, but there's dark surface discoloration throughout this area. The edge has some mild speckling and a few pin-pricks near the tip. The tip is slightly bent, but still intact. Towards the tip of the blade there's a heavier concentration of discoloration and some light areas of pitting. The tsuba is a later wartime example with original washers, but the fit is slightly loose. There's about 1/4 inch of wiggle room throughout the fittings. The handle has a typical brown cloth wrap and intact ray skin. There's a few small cracks in the ray skin on one side, and along the front rounded edge of the handle. The mekugi appears to be replacement and is very snug within the hilt of the blade. Marked with Japanese writing on both sides of the tang.