Japanese Army Officer's Sword and Scabbard : Brigadier J Field, 7 (Militia) Brigade, Australian Army

Japanese Army officer's sword and scabbard. The hilt has a civilian katana (sword) hilt with a copper fushi (collar) and kashira (pommel cap) which are engraved in an ivy or creeper pattern. It has brown cotton binding tape over the rayskin grip with one menuki (hilt ornament) of a helmet over a spear on the right side. The menuki on the left side has been removed and the binding repaired. The round iron sukashi tsuba (guard) has a slotted square section centre and is also non military. The slightly curved, single edged blade with a fuller to the back edge of each side has a straight harmon temper line. A double silver foil over copper habaki (collar) with diagonal file marks is attached to the unsigned blade. It has an old lacquered wooden scabbard that retains a black horn cord slot on the outside edge but is missing the horn throat ring. It is protected by a fitted brown leather cover secured with a top flap that has three press studs. A single loose ring strap hangar 90 mm from the throat is fitted under the leather cover. A small leather press-stud strap is fitted through the guard to secure the sword in its scabbard. The peg retaining the hilt to the blade has been replaced at an angle, so that it no longer fits accurately. An engraved rectangular shaped brass plaque loosely wired to the scabbard reads 'PRESENTED TO BRIG. J. FIELD. BY 2/12 I.N.F. BN. A.I.F. MILNE BAY NEW GUINEA September 1942.'

This sword was presented to Brigadier John Field by members of the 2/12th Infantry Battalion, A.I.F. at Milne Bay, New Guinea in September 1942. It is a civilian mounted sword that has been fitted with a military strap hanger and a leather battle cover. Possibly 18th century.