Description Imperial Japanese Type 98 Army Officers Katana/Shin Gunto with a 24″ blade and a leather wood wrapped scabbard. Made by Hattori Masahiro, marked on tang. Hattori worked at the Takayama prison forge. Gold gilded copper pommel (Kashira) cap with swivel loop. Natural ray skin (Samegawa) covered handle (Tsuka). Cloth wrapped (Ito) with ornament (Menuki) on each side. Gold gilded copper collar (Fuchi) with cherry blossoms. Gold gilded copper guard (Tsuba). Brass spacers (Seppa). Brass blade collar (Habaki). Intact hardened edge (Hamon) on the blade. Leather wrapped wooden scabbard with one loop for attachment to belt and old paper tag still affixed with Japanese characters. Tang of blade is marked with Japanese characters. No FFL required and ships to buyers homes. Condition: Good with light spots of oxidation on the blade (Smooth to the touch) replaced leather spacers and replaced wooden cross peg (Mekugi), handle is lightly loose from wood shrinkage and missing the leather spacer with button that affixes to the scabbard. Barrel Length: 24″ Serial: NVSN Model: Shin Gunto Katana Sword Year-Range 1935-1945