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**EXTREMELY RARE**SURRENDERED JAPANESE ARMY AIR FORCE (JAAF) PILOT OFFICER’S**ANCIENT BLADE**16th Century Muromachi Period Bizen Den School Uchi Gatana Sword Blade With WW2 Mounts Including JAAF Marked Sarute Loop, Scabbard & Expert Aseessment. - 22060:5 By 1941, the Japanese Army Air Force had about 1,500 combat aircraft. During the first years of the war, Japan continued technical development and deployment of increasingly advanced aircraft and enjoyed air superiority over most battlefields due to the combat experience of its crews and the handling qualities of its aircraft. However, as the war continued, Japan found that its production could not match that of the Allies. On top of these production problems, Japan faced continuous combat and thus continued losses. Furthermore, there were continual production disruptions brought on by moving factories from location to location, each transfer with the goal of avoiding the Allied strategic bombing. Between these factors and others, such as the restricted strategic materials, the Japanese found themselves materialistically outmatched. In terms of manpower, Japan was even worse off. Experienced crews were killed and replacements had not been planned. The Japanese had lost skilled trainers, and they did not have the fuel or the time to use the trainers they did have. Because of this, towards the end of its existence the air force resorted to kamikaze attacks against overwhelmingly superior Allied forces. This is an extremely rare ancient Japanese blade mounted for WW2 use by a Japanese Army Air Force Pilot Officer. The sword has been examined by UK Japanese sword expert Bill Tagg and a copy of his assessment notes accompany the sword. In extracts of his notes he states “Extremely rare example ofan army air force sword. A single handed Uchi gatana blade looking to date from late 16th century muromachi period over 400 years old. Unsigned Bizen Den work, shortened tang. In bright old faded polish from when it was put in 2nd war gunto mounts. You can see a bizen hamon used during 15th / 16th centuries., still in reasonable healthy condition. I think it would take another polish to bring out the quality of workmanship. Saya, honoki wood covered in thin leather over hessian wrap for war service. Alas it had a paper surrender label stuck to the leather when it was surrendered by its original owner who thought he would get his sword back after war. Now damaged and faded with just a couple of kanji written in ink on show, we will never know owners name ?. Tsuba gunto pattern in brass couple of seppa all finish on tsuba worn away. Tsuka hilt gunto pattern good quality ray skin intact. Brown ito wrap good condition. Wrong fuchi has hole for safety clip which was never fitted to this sword, put on in arsenal shop in wartime. Sarute knot lopop never seen one of these in 50years of dealing & collecting. Super rare emblem of army air force carried by a pilot, smaller sized sword for a plane? See Fuller & Gregory swords & dirks page 103 for air force units information”. In his illustrations of the blade he describes the cutting edge of blade as 53 cms. Total length just under 68 cms. He also describes other blade characteristics and dimensions which can be seen in the images. The price for this extremely rare piece includes UK delivery. Sn 22060:5
£2,450.00
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