WWII JAPANESE ARMY SIGNED KATANA SWORD - #20 -
The Samurai sword is one of the most desirable military collectibles in the market. Thanks to their use in movies and television, the samurai sword has become a household name.

The Katana was developed during the Momoyama period. Designed to give the Samurai a farther reach when mounted on a horse. Typically measuring between 24 inches to 30 inches.

The sample shown here is a WWII Japanese Officer Samurai Sword. At one point these swords were not the most desirable. However, in recent years they have gained popularity. This section of the website is dedicated to the discussion of the WWII era Samurai sword.

Wrapping and menuki are cast-formed. Typical WWII Imperial Japanese Army style fittings. Single suspension ring from the scabbard. It is said that during battle soldiers would not use the ring but rather would stick the sword through the belt the same way the Samurai in the old days would.

The Samurai sword has a very rich history. The sword has been manufactured for several centuries and continues to be produced today. The sword represented more than just a weapon. It was the soul of the Samurai warrior. When attempting to identify the type of sword you have It is important to keep in mind that the fittings of a sword (scabbard, handle, crossguard. etc.) may be identical from one sword to another. The reason why is because during WWII the same fittings were used in all Army swords, Navy swords, etc. Armed forces are all about uniformity. They strive to make everything the same. This is the reason why a sword cannot be identified merely by its external appearance. Understanding the different components that make up the Samurai sword is the first step in figuring out the type of sword you have. That is the reason why we have created the Understanding the Samurai sword section as a means to provide a novice with the basic knowledge to start the path of determining the questions everyone has; who made the sword, how old it is nad how much it is worth.

WE BUY JAPANESE SWORDS - All types of Japanese edge weapons. Whether it is a WWII era Samurai sword or an older type of blade. The process gets started by you sending us an Email . We will respond to your inquiry normally within 24 hours and in many cases much faster. We can tell you what you have, what it is worth and how much we can pay you. One sword or an entire collection - Email Us .

The overall length of the sword is approximatelly 39 inches. The length of the blade, measured from the throat to the tip is approximatelly 27.5 inches.

The sword was taken apart. The tang was signed on both sides. The following pictures show the signatures. Notice that no arsenal markings are found.

The blade has a locking mechanism which attaches the sword to the scabbard. This prevents it from falling out in the heat of battle. The locking machanism in this sample works great. Producing an audible "click" when the lock is engaged. The following photos show the locking system in the sword itself and the receiving end in the wooden scabbard. Care must be exercised when pulling the sword off the scabbard. A button must be pressed to disangaged the lock. Otherwise there is a risk of breaking the mechanism.

The sword featured here has all matching numbered parts. This is very hard to find in a WWII period Samurai sword because over time they are taken apart and the parts get lost. The consition of the blade and the fact that the parts are matching numebers are an indication that the GI brought the sword back and put it away. It is difficult to find un-molested swords.

The foloowing photo is a closeup view of the Fuchi. This piece is located at the base of the handle. one of its functions is to hold the locking release button. The side of the Fuchi is adorned with the same flower and leaf pattern found in the other components.

By the Numbers
It is next to impossible to determine the exact number of Samurai swords that were produced and issued to Japanese soldiers during the war. However, thanks to the record keeping maintained by the US Armed Forces, it is possible to estimate how many swords were actually shipped home.

There were over 500,000 Samurai swords were brought back home as souvenirs from the war. There are several caviats to this number.

For example, some soldiers took souvenirs and shipped them home circumbenting the established process. Some of the swords were brought back inside duffle bags without anyone knowing except for the soldier who captured the sword. This fact would clearly affect the final count.

The number also does not account for swords that were taken by Allied soldiers from other countries.

Collecting Samurai swords
Collecting Samurai swords is a field that has been growing since the days the GI's rummaged around Asia bringing back military souvenirs. Japanese soldiers carried many of these swords when they went to battle. Once the soldier was killed or captured, the Americans would take the edge weapons as war trophies. Eventually all these pieces came back to the United States where military history enthusiasts began to collect them.

In trying to determine if you should collect Samurai swords there are certain factors that should be considered. The adjacent table outlines some of the advantages and disadvantages of collecting the Samurai swords.

This Samurai Sword may be currently reproduced. It is becoming more difficult to be able to tell the fake ones from the real ones because the quality of the reproductions is improving. The collector must become familiarized with the construction style and materials employed in the manufacturing of this item. Attention to the details is critical in order to be able to determine the authenticity of the collectible.