Shin guntō (new military sword) Guntō

1 shin guntō (new military sword)

1.1 type 94
1.2 type 95
1.3 type 98

shin guntō (new military sword)

shin gunto leather combat cover.

the shin guntō (新軍刀, new military sword) weapon , badge of rank used imperial japanese army between years of 1935 , 1945. during of period, swords manufactured @ toyokawa naval arsenal. in response rising nationalism within armed forces, new style of sword designed japanese military in 1934. shin guntō styled after traditional slung tachi of kamakura period (1185-1332). officers ranks symbolized coloured tassels tied loop @ end of hilt. corresponding colors brown/red & gold general; brown & red field officer; brown & blue company or warrant officer; brown sergeant, sergeant major or corporal. blades found in shin guntō ranged modern machine made blades through contemporary traditionally manufactured blade ancestral blades dating hundreds of years.

type 94

the type 94 shin guntō (九四式軍刀, kyūyon-shiki guntō) officers sword replaced western style kyu gunto in 1934. had traditionally constructed hilt (tsuka) ray skin (same) wrapped traditional silk wrapping (ito). cherry blossom (a symbol of imperial japanese army) theme incorporated guard (tsuba), pommels (fuchi , kashira), , ornaments (menuki).

the scabbard type 94 made of metal wood lining protect blade. painted brown , suspended 2 brass mounts, 1 of removable , used when in full dress uniform. fittings on scabbard decorated cherry blossom designs.

type 95

the type 95 shin guntō (九五式軍刀, kyūgō-shiki guntō) released in 1935 designed use non-commissioned officers (ncos). designed resemble officer s shin guntō cheaper mass-produce. nco swords had machine made blades deep fullers (bo hi) , serial number stamped on blade in arabic numerals. hilts cast out of metal (either copper or aluminum) , painted resemble traditionally produced items on officer s swords. had brass guards similar officer s shin guntō.

by 1945 simplified nco sword being produced. had simple wooden hilt cross hatched grooves grip. scabbards made wood instead of metal , guard , other fittings made iron instead of brass.

type 98

type 98 japanese army sabre

the change type 98 shin guntō (九八式軍刀, kyūhachi-shiki guntō) occurred in 1938 , simplification of type 94 . there minor differences between type 98 swords , type 94 swords preceded them. notably second (removable) hanging point omitted scabbard.

many changes occurred type 98 between 1938 , end of war in 1945. late in war japan s supply of metal drying , shin guntō produced painted wooden scabbards, , cheaper or no brass ornamentation. of final swords produced in last year of war utilized cheap copper or blackened iron fittings.