World War II Japanese sword
This is a sword recovered from a Japanese soldier by my Grandfather on Iwo Jima. It is damaged by shrapnel from the soldier's suicidal use of a grenade to avoid capture.
It has been in my Grandfather's attic since 1945.
Inherited
Maybe
Dear James,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry. My sincere apologies for the delay with the appraisal.
The presented object appears to be a cased Japanese "Shin Gunto" sword of a member of the Imperial Japanese Army or Navy in the WWII period coming with the scabbard. 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 that is dated on the tang. 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 100 to 300 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
