Dear Grant,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

The presented object appears to be a Japanese "Shin Gunto" sword of a member of the Imperial Japanese Navy in the WWII period. This sword which means "new military sword" was designed in memory of the Japanese sword tradition and in usage between 1935 and 1945 for the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy. Sometimes older blades were used in this case we have a quite simple steel blade. Such swords came as trophies of GI after WWII in high numbers to the United States.
This piece is in bad to medium condition and there is no serious damage visible in the images provided.
A fair market estimation would be between 80 to 200 USD.
This estimate is based on actual recent past recorded auction sales of comparable items. Retail "asking prices" can be higher and may vary.

With kind regards,
George