Type 19 Cavalry Officer Sword

[SARGE]

This Japanese Army riding sword was first adopted in 1886 (Meiji 19) as the Type 19 Cavalry Officer Sword. Regulations state that the grips of these swords for Cavalry Officers shall be white sharkskin or black horn, although other materials may be seen.  The elongated D guard gilt brass hilts have a flat knuckle bow with a decorated back strap. Type 19 sword scabbards originally had two suspension rings while some swords will have one ring that is removable or only one suspension ring after circa 1932.  This sword is a modification of the earlier Type 8 Riding Sword for all horse mounted officers that was only worn by Cavalry Officers.  

 

This sword is a Company Grade Type 19 Cavalry Sword having the top suspension mount on the plain nickeled steel scabbard with only one ring. This is a sword with little decoration on the back strap indicating wear by a lower Company Grade Officer.  Sword back straps with full ornamentation were worn by Field Grade Officers. The grip is black horn wrapped with twisted brass wire.  The blade is plated steel with a false hamon as is common on these Type 19 Cavalry Officer swords. Notice the black horn grip and the hilt decoration on this sword indicating this was a sword for a lower ranking Army Officer. 

 

The Type 19 Cavalry Officer Sword for Officers was superseded in 1934 by the shin-gunto.  

 

 

[warguy]

Nice example and great info on this sword. Thanks for posting Sarge. 

[SARGE]

Thank you for the kudos.  

 

These Cavalry Officer swords are somewhat hard to find.  The Riding (Mounted) Officer swords are scarce as well even though they were more widely worn.  

 

The sword knot and chain hanger are both correct for this sword.  

 

[warguy]

I have an example of the more common NCO Cavalry sword of this time frame with checkered wooden grip. I never knew or at least never studied  the officers model.