Unknown Kuy-Gunto Police style officer sword

[SARGE]

The Japanese Army "Parade Sword" is often mistaken for the almost identical "Police Sword" but there are distinct differences.

 

The Army sword was first adopted in 1875 (Meiji) as the Type 8 Kyu-Gunto (First Military Sword). It was later modified in 1886 (Meiji 19) as the Type 19 Kyu-Gunto. Type 8 sword scabbards have two suspension rings while Type 19 swords have one ring that is removable or only one suspension ring after circa 1932.

 

The quick way to determine the difference between Army and Police swords of this type is to note the backstrap decoration. Army swords will normally have a ten petal cherry blossom on the back of the pommel and on the "ears" of the backstrap. Nearly identical Police swords will have a Police badge on the back of the pommel and a five petal cherry blossom on the "ears" of the backstrap. The same applies to ten- and five-petal cherry blossoms found in the guard design.  This sword has five petal cherry blossoms like Police Officer Type 19 swords and gives every appearance of being a Police sword.  It also has a design on the pommel that I have not seen before and is not listed in Japanese sword books I have available.  Instead of a cherry blossom or star it is plain with an unknown design as shown in the pictures. I do not know if this is a character of some sort, a mon, or perhaps a school insignia.

 

This sword is a Company Grade Type 19 Kyu-Gunto having the suspension mount on the nickeled steel scabbard with only one ring. Jim Dawson, in his book, "Swords of Imperial Japan 1868-1945", does not show this particular sword pommel variation. The blade is plated steel as is common on these Type 8 and Type 19 swords. Notice the sharkskin grip and the hilt decoration on this sword indicating this was a sword for a low ranking Officer.

 

Any assistance to identify this pommel design would be appreciated.  

 

 

[Preppy Picker]

I always get them confused. Here is its appropriate knot.

[SARGE]

Conjecture on another website was that this sword might be either a "custom made police sword" or a "military school sword".

 

One commented, "More likely is 4th Junior High School 第四中學校as Japanese police stations are not numbered but bear names of their location. Military drills were mandatory at all public junior high schools and higher educational institutions in Japan since 1925 so the sword could have belonged to the school for use in such."

 

[63cagedfalcon]

I have a very similar sword i recently acquired. 

Single hanger, 5 petal on sides & back. No numbers or characters. 

In a separate note, is this a Japanese knot?

[Preppy Picker]

The knot looks German.

[SARGE]

A nice private purchase sword with the maker name in English on the ricasso of the blade.  

 

Your knot is German.  It indicates a Bavarian Infantry Infantry Officer from the Imperial or Weimar Republic times.  

[easterneagle87]

Ya learn something new every day. I too picked up one of these swords several years ago and always thought it was a police sword.  Didn't pay much for it in relative terms, but it's nice to know that it is an Army sword. No markers mark at the base of the blade.