[curly1]

I thought this was a pretty cool item.

http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_info.php?products_id=22723&osCsid=9638c30903e9308c4c32f2b70fd4135b

 

[nambu-shiki]

Wasn't one of these just posted?

 

[03man]

A flag sword? That's a new one to me.

 

[TheGreenMan]

Link to the other thread.

http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?256980-Interesting-Flag-Sword-found-today

 

[JB]

I had a flag pistol when I was a wee lad

 

[arisakadogs]

I had a flag pistol when I was a wee lad

So did I but I got circumcised at 5 years of age

 

[nambu-shiki]

So did I but I got circumcised at 5 years of age

5 years old?

The horror..........................

 

[45Guy]

I'm just going to go out on a limb here... Why, pray tell, is there a scabbard? If the flag is attached by knotted string, wouldn't the scabbard be superfluous? Or did Japanese NCO's routinely carry ground down swords and little flags that they could conveniently tie to said swords immediately prior to battle? Just seems like an odd item to survive in that immaculate of condition... The flag that is.

 

[Trenchwarfare]

These were strictly for parade use. The scabbard is slightly oversized, so that the sword can be inserted, with the flag wrapped tightly around it. That's why the blade tapers down so small.

 

[45Guy]

So do you think the flag in the auction photo is a later addition?

 

[Trenchwarfare]

Flag could very well be original. It might have been used only a couple times, and the owner got shipped off to China. Then, sat in Japan, till the occupation. Or, till recently. Anything is possible.

 

[45Guy]

That one on Simpson's just has my spidey sense tingling... The one pictured on the forum shows tattering and discoloration consistent with being rolled and stuffed in the metal scabbard for years. The flag on Simpson's is immaculate, while the scabbard and other exposed portions look like something that Commandant dug up.