Japanese Army officer's shin-gunto sword with scabbard : Flying Officer J R Coate, 4 Airfield Construction Squadron, RAAF

Japanese Army officer's shin-gunto sword with scabbard. The hilt is wrapped in white same (ray skin) beneath brown binding and has the standard army style brass shin-gunto fittings with cherry blossom menuki (hilt ornament) fitted on each side. The fuchi (ferrule) has a spring loaded scabbard retention clip button. The kabuto-gane (pommel) is complete with a sarute (loop). The solid tsuba (guard) is rectangular in shape with cherry blossom motifs in the corners and has a single sepa (spacer plate) on each side. The tang, with one peg hole and a Seki Arsenal stamp, is engraved with Japanese characters which indicate that it was made by the sword maker Matsuyama Yoshinori. The slightly curved, single edged blade has no fuller or discernible harmon (temper line). A brass habaki (collar) is attached to the blade. The steel scabbard has shin-gunto mountings to match the hilt with a single hangar with ring 70mm from the throat. The kuchi-gane (scabbard throat fitting) has a voided section to receive the scabbard retention clip tongue. The scabbard is protected by a black leather battle cover that is laced at the throat. The lace is missing. The cover has been repaired by stitching a transverse tear approximately half way along its length.

Japanese Army officer's shin-gunto sword with standard army mounts and scabbard with leather battle guard.

This object is associated with the Second World War service of 56759 Flying Officer D J R Coate, RAAF. Born at Lakes Entrance, Victoria in 1905, Joseph Robert Coate enlisted in the RAAF in June 1942. Coate served in the RAAF until his discharge in February 1946. He was attached to No 4 Airfield Construction Squadron at the time.