I just picked this up at an estate sale today. It looks Asian(Japanese?) to me so I'm posting it here. Any information would be appreciated. Overall length is around 35":

Other than the number "20" this fouled anchor (Navy?) is the only marking on the sword:

Jim

It looks like a Japanese Meiji-period short sword.

The style is similar to a police or civil official's weapon of the period except for the anchor which seems to indicate naval. I've never personally seen a Japanese naval weapon of this style, nor any Japanese naval weapon with an incised anchor like this (...but then, there's alot of things I haven't seen!). Embellishments on standard model types were, I believe, more normally relief cast rather than engraved.

Interesting.

What's the blade look like?

Jim,

Your sword is typically referred to as a Naval Prison or Naval Police sword. The blades are typically machine made and the swords are of NCO quality. It should also have an anchor engraved on the obverse of the scabbard near the drag.

Here is a photo of the proper scabbard for these swords.