A pair of Type 95 NCO shin guntō swords. Japan, circa 1935-1945. Serial numbers "112268" and "131520" stamped on blades. Blades approx. 26 1/4 in., overall approx. 38 in. 

Both swords complete in scabbards. Both blades exhibit a smooth gray tone with light tarnishing — one sword's blade is more reflective. The scabbards both have one ring near the tsuba. Any manufacturer's stamps are missing from the fuchi. The tsuka is cast metal, with one showing considerable wear along the center and near the menuki. The other sword's menuki is painted a pleasing gold color. 

Type 95 NCO shin guntō swords became common with the Second Sino-Japanese War and World War II. Shin guntōs were originally designed after a traditional slung tachi from the Kamakura Period (1185-1332) to meet a rising wave of patriotism in the Imperial Japanese Army. The Type 95 was made for use by non-commissioned officers and were mass-produced in factories, yet they were painted to resemble the traditional swords of years past. 

Note: This lot cannot be packaged and shipped in-house. Successful bidders winning items marked as being packaged and shipped by a third-party service are responsible for paying the third party directly. We are happy to offer complimentary drop-off service to local third-party packing/shipping companies in Columbus, Ohio.

[World War II, WWII, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Adolf Hitler, Allied, Axis, George S. Patton, Air Force] [Swords, Knives, Bowie Knives, Knife, Blades]