reeder

Has anyone seen any of the shorter officers swords? I've been able to find similar but not exact mounts on the shorter swords for the navy and air force but not something in army mounts. The blade measures 32 inches from tip to tip while mounted. I know the pictures are horrible but that's what was sent to me. Can't wait until my buddy comes over with his hi-res camera, then quality of pics will greatly improve, including other pieces I've posted. -Brandon

Thank you guys, I suck at this too, but I believe it transaltes to Tokushu ko motte ido hidetoshi saku based on the link below (I had gotten some of it, but was missing most :D ). http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-WW2-Japanes ... 7675.l2557 Assuming it's a machined blade, and given it's not traditional most here wouldn't care, but I'd still prefer handmade over machined even as a military collector. Posted a couple more pics of the blade. Same goes with hopefullness that the Yoshimasa would have been handmade as well, even though it was not made traditionally. -Brandon

Well, thought I found a couple of the characters, wrote them down and didn't save the file where I wrote them of course. I'd greatly appreciate a little push in the right direction or some assistance. I couldn't find half of the characters and the half I thought I found wasn't ever sure they were what I thought. Thanks, Brandon

Ed, those are some very nice tsubas. I haven't gotten to collecting tsubas yet, just started with swords and mainly picked up the military swords (I know this isn't quite the military sword forum, but got to start somewhere I also need a couple zeroes at the end of my salary to feed the hunger, as I'm sure we'd all like -Brandon

Thanks, that's what I told him but something about buying from collectors. I don't know what the deal is, I'd rather buy from someone here in that range knowing for sure I'm getting something that's right. -Brandon

Thank you gentlemen, I guess it was one he was looking at buying then. I'll have to let him know, he'll be very pleased to know it is a fake before spending $600 vs afterwards. I'm just learning myself and somewhat getting comfortable with identifying some of the WWII swords. Y'all have a great day and thanks again! -Brandon

A friend asked me to post a pic of a Tsuba for opinions. I guess he's not sure if it's right or a fake. As always, thanks a ton. -Brandon

I've got another one for translation but would like help on direction or maybe how the signature is arranged to find myself rather than having it provided please. I need to practice more on how to find the signatures. unfortunately the Japanese sword index site is down until Nov. I know it's a wwii arsenal blade so if there's another area in supposed to post please let me know. Thanks, Brandon

Thank you gentlemen. I guess I'm going to meet the guy this afternoon to pick them up. He has the original crate his father shipped them in too. I'll have to work on translating the sword later. Just wanted to make sure they weren't Chinese fakes. Thanks again, Brandon

Here are some more pics of the blades. -Brandon

Thanks a ton, Mark. They looked alright to me but I'm newer to collecting and wanted to get a better opinion. Also looking at these on my phone so hard to see details. Lastly, wanted to make sure the bare blade wasn't just Chinese jibberish on a fake. Trying to catch the guy after work, so thank you very much for the quick response. -Brandon

Got offered these 2 blades and am at work at the moment posting from phone. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I know I need better photos which I will try to get later. Thanks for your help in advance. I guess I need to know quickly if you all think they're correct or fakes. If cant tell from the 2 pics I'll try for more this evening. -Brandon

Spent some more time looking around for the province on the Wakizashi and looks like Bizen or Hizen to me, I'm obviously a beginner but the 2 character definitely looks like "zen". -Brandon

Alansue, sending you a pm. Anyways, he was asking $1200. -Brandon

Haha that bad eh? -Brandon

Someone offered me this Tsuba but the price was too high for my likings (I haven't quite gotten to collecting Tsubas and am new to swords in general). The person who owns this claims it is edo period with gold & brass inlay. As I know nothing on Tsubas I thought I'd just throw it up on the forums for people to appreciate (or choke if it's a repro). The pictures I've attached are the only pictures I've seen of it. -Brandon

I also meant to add that I read that just because it is arsenal stamped it does not necessarily mean that the blade was machine made, just that non-traditional methods were used (materials, general method, etc.). I understand this is more of a traditional sword forum, but I still find them extremely interesting. -Brandon

I figured the Katana would be around the WWII era, was hoping for maybe mid-1800s on the blade. Wish the signature was still there on the Wakizashi so I could date it and find out who made it. Thank you all very much. I'm going to try and get a better picture of what we think is an arsenal stamp. It's just not very clear to begin with and I can't really make anything out even under magnification. I have a feeling that my bayonet & fighting knife collecting is going to cease and the collection itself may be reduced to make room for more swords Jean, the site you sent me as the main reference was the site I was looking for hours in trying to find signatures. I guess you've just seen and researched enough to know what a lot of the signatures are? You pretty much responded instantly, which is quite amazing. -Brandon

Is there anything in particular part that needs a sharper image (I noticed that the Tsuba came out pretty blurry). I guess the swordsmiths made swords from pretty much the beginning of sword making through the Shin-Shinto Period (ending in 1868)? Bummer the maker's name wasn't left intact and it is a Suriage. Thank you. -Brandon

Oh, and I do not have any intentions on selling these (the guidelines said please specify) unless my wife gets mad and decides she wants to start hacking away at me -Brandon

Jean, you are good sir. Thank you very much! I attached one pic of what may or may not be an arsenal stamp. Maybe a flaw? I can't really tell. (On the Katana). Other than that, didn't see anything else on the tang. My friend has a Katana that we think was made by Yoshimune Ishihara. If better pics are needed let me know. I will take & post some tomorrow evening as I am headed to class in 15 minutes (that grad school never ends). Y'all have a wonderful evening. -Brandon

Now attached are pics of my Wakizashi and believe is says "Before the River" or something along those lines. As far as I can make out the 1st character is "gawa". There is not a signature on the Tsuba, but I am very proud of it I do have the handle, but it needs to be restored and re-wrapped. The wooden "scabbard" came with the sword that I bought with a bunch of bayonets & a knife. -Brandon

Hello boys & girls. I just got into sword collecting in the past couple of months and found this site the other day and figured I'd join as it appears there is a wealth of information, plus it's always fun to show off collections and talk about fairy tales I only have 2 swords (1 Wakizashi & 1 Katana). I'm sure many of you have been where I am and am overwhelmed with the amount of information and different signatures (they all look the same to me). Any help on translations would be greatly appreaciated. I have attached pictures starting with my Katana. I believe the English translation is "Loyal Heart" and reads "Gishin" but not 100% sure. Have spent hours on google and looking at reference sites. Not sure what era the sword would have been made or if handmade vs. machine made. Any and all assistance and criticism is welcomed and greatly appreciated. -Brandon