Humbabwe

Cool. Thanks for that summation. I appreciate it. Love this board... will see you all around. Brian.

Any further help/opinions would be greatly appreciated. Brian

Totally agree. I couldn't care less what its monetary price is. It will always be a piece of familial history, as well as a piece of eastern history (in which I am very interested). But that's why I'd like to know as much about it as possible. I have only taken exception to the few posts which call me or my Grandfather a liar (essentially). That's all that has pissed me off. Thanks for understanding, Denis. Brian

Agreed. I had simply forgotten about this. Glad I finally thought of it. Hope you all enjoy. Brian

For what it's worth, this is a direct quote from my grandfathers journal... I'm rereading the whole thing, but this so far seems to be the only mention of the sword. February 15, 1945: Up at 8 - good sleep - persimmons - breakfast with District Commander - much eggs - good meal. Had toast and real tea. Commander (General Chaou) gave me a Samurai sword - a swell one. Interpreter gave talk on location, Jap positions, etc. and we see that we really have been through it. Does that date tell you anything? Brian

Hey guys, I don't want you to think that I am ungrateful for the information ive been given thus far. I'm really only complaining about a couple people who are saying things that I know not to be true. I can accept that it was made (most probably) by the Chinese as it fits with the story somewhat. He was shot down over China, got his crew out of the plane and ditched it. He was then chased through the mountains by the Japanese and ultimately managed to get to safety. The sword was acquired from the Chinese during this time period. So I'm not not accepting that information. I'm thankful for it. But some people are like "oh it was definitely created in 1984 in Detroit by a six fingered man with a stutter". And those are the kinds of claims to which I'm taking offense. Anyway, I'll find out exactly when he got the sword. If anyone is interested, my aunt created a website of his journal entries and pictures... its a pretty cool story: http://rb-29.net/HTML/74Humbystory.html/00.25Humby.htm Anyway, I'll let you guys know the exact year (it should be in the story) and thanks again for all (well, most of) the help. :D Brian

Thanks Martin for your input. I appreciate it. Brian

See, this is the problem. You guys act like you know what you are talking about, but you clearly don't. This blade is from 1945 Japan. That is a fact. Nothing has been done to it since. All of you who say any differently are simply wrong. I appreciate the help, especially from Brian and Axn??? But the rest of you are just talking s**t (in the British style). One of u is able to see the signatures that I am plainly able to see. I'm sorry I can't recall ur name right now, but I'd really appreciate further input from you. Thanks again, Brian.

Just quoting so I can easily go back and forth to what you said. I will take your advice on the polishing of the blade, and avoiding the rust removal for now. Thanks for that. So you're saying that most quality swords wouldnt have so much rust at this stage even if they had been sitting in someones basement or hanging on someones wall, untouched, for 70 years? Or is it something else about the tang that tips you off? So it was made in mass production for the soldiers just prior to and during the second world war? Why would some be more quality than others? Status? I really appreciate all your help. In regards to the round flower and the characters, I think (at least with one character) they are quite visible in the first picture i put up of the tang. You don't see it? Thanks, Brian

and how could i safely derust it?

Also, I'm not exactly curious as to whether it was made for some elite squad of fighters, I'd really like to understand how and why it was produced, and for what kind of soldier. I don't know anything about this when compared to you guys so a little information in your eyes goes a long way in mine. I tried to post something but im not sure if it went through. There is clearly at least one Japanese character on the tang and at least two flower indentations. Any idea what they might be about? Thanks, and sorry for the noobidity.

you can see in the first picture there is at least one character... And i can definitely see the edges of what seems to be some sort of sunflower type flower... What is it that points to that for you? You have to remember that I know nothing about this. :D

Its heavily rusted, and i can see some slight imprints but im not sure if its my mind playing tricks on me... seems to be a round flower closer to the bottom...

Its really tough, doesnt want to budge at all

Any suggestions as to how to loosen the handle once the pin is out? Turned out to be a metal one btw.

No I understand that. I meant v shaped in length not girth.

And the wrapping is definitely tight, btw. I could barely move anything. I think the pin is in a slight u shape. Its also pretty hard to tell which side its supposed to be pushed from. I also have this pic of the guard:

I found it, its actually pretty much in the center of the handle... a little closer to the top. But i dont think im going to be able to get it out... its really in there.

I mean, It's pretty impossible for it to be a fake, as my grandfather brought it home from the pacific in 1945. Unless you know something I dont. I am afraid to disassemble it because I looked up how to do it and don't see any noticable pins to knock out of it. could you explain the process to me? Maybe I'm missing something. Thanks for the response btw.

Hey guys, Obviously, I am new to this place and know nothing about this (compared to you guys- I used to think I did). I would really appreciate it if you could check out these pictures of the katana I inherited from my Grandfather and tell me as much about it as you can. Try and remember that I know virtually nothing about this, so even the most obvious things need to be told to me. I do believe that it is a WWII era sorta mass production sword, but that's all I really understand thus far after having read a plethora of posts on here. Thanks in advance, can't wait to hear! Brian