A Second World War Imperial Japanese NCO's shin-gunto / army sword, middle type, with sidestopper, aluminium hilt painted to resemble the lacing (ito) on officer's shin-gunto swords, plain blackened iron guard and iron ferrule, numbered 131653 to the blade and matching number to the hilt, arsenal markings for Army Arsenal Nagoya factory and Seki Touken Co, Ltd private marks, inspection mark indistinct, blade length 70cm, overall length 91.5cm, with brown and blue sword knot or tassel (for Company or Warrant Officer), housed in a green painted scabbard.

Sold together a military letter authorising RSM Copestake to retain possession of this sword.

Provenance: Regimental Sergeant Major Terence Ray Copestake (1916 - 1977) brought this sword home after the war.

RSM Copestake started his army career with the servicing searchlights and trucks in 1939 and transferred to REME on its formation. He progressed through the ranks until being posted to Burma in 1942 with a battalion of the Scottish Fusiliers. He spent some time in India and fought against the Japanese in Burma, being heavily involved in the decisive battle of Imphal, which caused the Japanese to retreat and subsequently took the surrender of a large number of Japanese, during which time this sword was handed to him.