Original WW II Japanese Edged Weapons

Add a Piece of History to Your Collection With a WWII Japanese Officer Sword

If you like collecting WWII military artifacts, a vintage WWII Japanese officer sword can add value and enjoyment to your collection. You can choose from a wide variety of WWII Japanese swords for sale on eBay. You can also enhance your collection by purchasing a Japanese WWII dagger or a WWII samurai sword.

Many Japanese swords were standard-issue swords that were given to the Army and Navy officers. The most common type of sword that was issued was the katana, which was machine-made and has engravings to hide its flaws. The katana also goes by the name shin-gunto. Mass production of these WWII Japanese swords began in 1934. Collectors are interested in these swords as military relics and not as art swords because these swords were machine-made. Even if a WWII katana has a handmade blade, the blade typically was not made by traditional methods. This means that a WWII katana with a handmade blade would still be considered a military relic.

WWII Japanese swords were only useful in close-quarter combat and as a weapon of last resort. Some Japanese soldiers carried traditional handmade swords that had been in their families for generations. These swords were expensive and served as a status symbol within their ranks. Other soldiers who did not have a family sword were issued a machine-made sword. Swords were primarily used to encourage the Japanese soldiers and to remind them of their samurai heritage.

The Toyokawa Naval Arsenal was the primary manufacturer of the mass-produced WWII Japanese sword. These swords resemble the traditional slung tachi that was used a lot from 1185 to 1332. Japanese soldiers were required to wear a sword because it inspired national pride, and these swords indicated the rank of the soldier based on the color of the tassel at the end of the hilt.

Four types of swords were produced:

• Type 94 – These were officers’ swords with a traditionally crafted hilt and a metal scabbard. Type 94 swords have cherry blossom designs in various places.
• Type 95 – These swords were mass-produced for non-commissioned officers and made to resemble Type 94 officers’ swords. The blades were machine-made, and a serial number is stamped on the blade.
• Type 98 – This is a simplified version of the Type 94 sword. Japan’s metal supply was running low toward the end of the war, so many of these Type 98 swords have wooden scabbards.
• Naval swords – These swords were issued to naval personnel and have stainless steel blades.