WWII Japanese Sword?

**camry** · 03-18-2013, 11:41 PM

I have a WWII Japanese sword. It came directly from a WWII USMC Vet who served in the 4th Marine Division. It was supposedly used in a charge, and there is blood on the tip. Can anyone tell if that is really blood? I do not know much about this sword, and any information will be greatly appreciated. It measures about 34 inches long from the tip to the bottom of the tang. What kind is it, What year was it made, Who made it, etc. Thank You in advance for your help.

**camry** · 03-18-2013, 11:44 PM

more pictures

**camry** · 03-18-2013, 11:57 PM

more pictures

**BOB COLEMAN** · 03-19-2013, 04:31 AM

You have posted the kanji on the tang upside down but without standing on my head, I can read that it was made in the 18th year of Showa, which is 1943. It is a typical Imperial Japanese Army officer's military mount. There should be writing on the reverse side of the tang which likely has an acceptance stamp and the name of the factory worker who made this blade. It appears to be a standard non traditional machine made sword blade. There is no way to tell if the staining and pits are from blood or moisture. I only had one sword that was stained by blood. The veteran I ppurchased it from took the surrender of a cavalry school in Kyoto after the surrender. He found the the commanding officer had commited suicide by fallin on his sword in his office. The soldier removed the sword from the corpse and brought it home in the scabbard as a souvenir. The top 40% of the blade was a dark gray black color while the balance of the blade was in perfect polish.