| Place | Oceania: New Guinea1, Papua New Guinea |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL37384 |
| Collection type | Technology |
| Object type | Edged weapon or club |
| Physical description | Aluminium, Brass, Iron, Steel |
| Maker |
Kokura Arsenal |
| Place made | Japan |
| Date made | c 1940 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
Japanese Army NCO's shin-gunto sword and scabbard
Description
Japanese Army non commissioned officer's shin-gunto sword and scabbard. The sword has an aluminium tsuka (handle) made to resemble the traditionally cloth wrapped shin-gunto swords. There are three arsenal control markings towards the bottom of the handle. The tsuba (guard) is voided brass and the blade is fullered with the number '131089' and an inspector's mark stamped near the habaki (blade collar). The iron scabbard has a single hanger, a horseshoe chape and the number '?65123' stamped at the throat.
History / Summary
This sword is believed to have been captured in Papua New Guinea by Private W A Jeffery, 2/6 Independent Company. Born in Brunswick, Melbourne in 1924 William Athey 'Bill' Jeffery enlisted in the Australian Army on 23 September 1942. Private Bill Jeffery served with 2/6 Independent Company in the South West Pacific and was attached to the Murchison Prisoner of War Group at the time of his discharged in October 1946.