Hello… I’m looking for some info on this sword that I picked up last year in an online auctionl. I got this sword, a type 38 Arisaka rifle (all matching), and a type 30 bayonet for $600. As you can see… the sword blade is is poor condition. I was told the vet that brought these items home had recently passed. His widow found these items in their attic and wanted them gone. A local gun shop listed all these items in a “Package deal” auction (I was one of two bidders).

I’m not a sword collector, however, this was an added bonus. I was able to remove the handle and noticed that the tang had badly disintegrated. I guess at some point the tang got wet and slowly rusted over the years. No saya was included in purchase.

My question is… can anybody tell me anything about this sword from the pics I’ve attached? I’m assuming it was an officer sword because of the “Hojo” mon on the handle. The tang appears signed but too damaged to make out.

Click to enlarge the picture