Some examples have included European style silverworking, jade, cloisonné, or metalwork and paint for artistic relief.

[8] The shin guntō (新軍刀, new military sword) was a weapon and symbol of rank used by the Imperial Japanese Army, between the years of 1935–1945.

In response to rising nationalism within the armed forces, a new style of sword was designed for the Japanese military in 1934.

After the Second World War's conclusion, most produced guntō were made to resemble the traditionally cloth wrapped shin-gunto swords, but out of a solid metal casting.

On later models the hilts were made of aluminum and painted to resemble the lacing (ito) on officer's shin-guntō swords.

If the sword is all original, the serial numbers on the blade, tsuba, saya and all other parts should match.

A cherry blossom (a symbol of the Imperial Japanese Army) theme was incorporated into the guard (tsuba), pommels (fuchi and kashira), and ornaments (menuki).

It was often painted brown and was suspended from two brass mounts, one of which was removable and only used when in full dress uniform.

Initially the hilts were cast out of metal (either copper or aluminium) and painted to resemble the traditionally produced items on the officer's swords.

Late in the war Japan's supply of metal was drying up and shin guntō were produced with painted wooden scabbards, and with cheaper or no brass ornamentation.

Some of the final swords produced in the last year of the war utilized cheap copper or blackened iron fittings.