An incredible group of WWII Japanese Katana/Tanto swords as GI shipped back to the U.S. with original shipping boxes, dated newspaper packing, and original capture papers for each sword. A wonderful time capsule from the Pacific theater!
The Japanese Officer's Katana/Samurai sword has a blade length of 25" and overall length of 40.25." Standard military fittings with well-detailed temper line and point. Dissasembly shows handle ink-numbered 3950 with the same numeration painted with white Japanese characters on the tang. Opposite side of tang with manufacturers characters, apparently those of a well known shop. Complete with original shipping box lined in period/yellow aged newspaper, and individual capture document referencing Sgt. George Springman, whose name appears as the sender on the shipping box and capture paper. The Tanto has a blade length of 11.5" and overall length of 18." Blade has an irregular temper line and is housed in wooden storage mounts. The tang is unsigned and has a single retaining pin. The blade appears to be mid-18th century. As was true for the katana, the tanto was shipped in its own wooden box with the same newspaper packing and reference to its own capture papers.
Sgt. George Springman served in the United States Army during World War II and was deployed to the post-war effort in Japan immediately after Victory-in-Japan Day.
1 июл 2024
