Bidspirit auction | WWII Jap Army Off. Saber

WWII Jap Army Off. Saber & Flag 32 Div Bringback - Preserved as a historic pairing of ”spoils of peace” and consigned directly by the family of WWII U.S. Army veteran George Richard Skillicorn, this lot includes an Imperial Japanese Army company-grade officer's Meiji-era inspired Kyu-Gunto dress/parade saber and a silk Hinomaru national flag. Conscripted in 1944 after serving as an essential tool designer for Pratt & Whitney aircraft engines at the Chevrolet plant in Tonawanda, NY, Skillicorn deployed to the Pacific with the 32nd Infantry ”Red Arrow” Division, later participating in the post-war occupation and humanitarian restoration of Japan where he acquired these pieces. The saber features a Western-styled cast brass D-guard handguard richly decorated with openwork cherry blossom (sakura) motifs and a contoured backstrap denoting Army specification. The ribbed, polished black composition grip is tightly wound with fine triple-strand brass wire. The weapon is housed in its original nickel-plated steel single-ring scabbard (saya), presenting in an interesting, native configuration built without a mechanical hilt-locking latch assembly. Both pieces are in honest, untouched condition with direct family provenance; the sword shows a natural deep aged patina on the brass elements, light finish wear, and localized superficial oxidation across the scabbard exterior and the unsharpened, machine-made 25-inch single-fullered factory chrome blade lacking a mekugi peg. The silk flag displays expected folding creases, mild age-toning, and scattered minor spots of liquid discoloration on the delicate white field. Flag measures H 27.5”, W 39”, D 0.1”. Sword measures H 30.5”, W 4.5”, D 2”.