WWII Type 97 Shin Gunto Katana in Manganese Steel with Black Leather Saya & Gold-Copper Tsuba

The manganese steel blade on this Type 97 shin gunto replica is precision-finished to a bright chrome polish, running the full length from tip to tang. The full-tang construction keeps the blade solidly seated through the handle, and the geometry follows the traditional katana curvature associated with late Imperial Japanese military swords. At 41 inches overall, the proportions match the historic shin gunto form closely.

The handle combines black PU samegawa under a tightly wound black cord ito, producing clean diagonal diamond nodes along the grip. A silver-toned skull kashira sits at the pommel end, and a brown tassel hangs from it - a detail drawn directly from original Japanese officer sword presentations that gives the piece an immediately recognizable period silhouette.

The tsuba is one of the most visually striking elements on this piece. Cast in a gold-copper alloy, it carries a chrysanthemum flower relief with heart-shaped openwork cutouts at each corner. A copper-toned nakago-ana surround contrasts against the darker outer ring, creating a two-tone effect that stands out against the black handle and saya. This floral officer-style tsuba design is closely associated with WW2 Japanese Samurai Sword aesthetics.

The black leather saya is smooth and fitted, with a brass-toned retention ring midway along the scabbard and a shaped metal kojiri at the tip. The overall saya finish is clean and matte, which keeps the visual weight grounded against the gold and copper hardware. For collectors building out a period military display, this pairs naturally with other pieces in the Black Leather Saya Japanese Samurai Swords collection.

Specifications: overall length 41 inches, weight 3 lbs, shipping weight 4 lbs in a 43 x 4 x 4 inch package. Sword stand is not included. This replica is designed for collection and display, honoring the visual language of the Imperial Japanese Type 97 officer sword in full detail.