An 18th Century, Japanese katana / samurai sword including leather & ray-skin wrapped hilt with dual menuki, ornamented pommel guard and spacer, brass/ bronze blade collar, sturdy hand guard, and lacquered wooden scabbard. Blade length: 21 1/4" (54cm) [from hand guard to tip] Total length: 37" [all inclusive] Condition: The considerably aged ray-skin hilt wrap can be seen to be pulling apart under the leather wrapping. Most of the hilt's fixtures: hand guard, pommel guard, spacers, & blade collar are loose/ wiggle when touched. The mekugi/ hilt peg is missing. The scabbard is split entirely in half, with resultant damage to the black lacquer finish. The blade itself seems to be in very good condition considering its age & expected use.Provenance: from a private Maryland collector