Lot 718
A Japanese 1937 Naval Officers sword (Kai-Gunto) forged by Fujiwara Kanefusa (1899-1977) with wooden saya finished in black lacquered leather, the 70cm blade with clear hamon, the complete length 99cm including saya. The plain tsuba supported by two copper sunburst dai-seppas then 4 plain ovoid seppas (all are stamped 91). The length of the tang engraved "Kanefusa the 23rd, resident of Seki in Noshu" and three characters painted in white enamel on the obverse also a 5mm Seki mark at the base of the tang. The brass fuchi on the handle can be removed to reveal an unclear signature on the wood. The sword was gifted to Captain Clifford Caslon C.B.E by the Admiralty, due to his presence in command of the battleship H.M.S Nelson at Singapore during the surrender of Japanese forces in all of South-east Asia on 12th September 1945 in her role as Flagship, Eastern Fleet. 10 days earlier Caslon had hosted the surrender of Japanese forces in Malaya at George Town, Penang by Rear Admiral Jisaku Uozumi aboard the Nelson, following this, H.M.S Nelson was relieved as Flagship, Eastern Fleet on 20th September 1945 before returning to Portsmouth where on 27th November 1945 she became Flagship of the Home Fleet and together with a photographic portrait of Captain Caslon in uniform 30cm x 22cm, a warrant of commission promoting him to the rank of Rear Admiral dated 8th January 1947 framed 18cm x 36cm, a bar of miniature ribbon and other ribbons, 3 Admiral's buttons, a black and white photograph of H.M.S. Nelson with brass plaque H.M.S. Nelson Flagship Homefleet 1946 Captain Caslon CBE framed 41cm x 59cm and a brass plaque marked Clifford Caslon RN 8cm x 15cm Provenance - from Admiral Caslon by direct descent to his son Denis Caslon SOLD £1350