wieble

it is just shy of 34" from the tip to the bottom of the tang. From the tip to the mune machi is measures a little less than 27"

You have all been amazing! Such a nice helpful comminuty. I will be going on the sites suggested by bruce, and grey as I do find these items fascinating, and am eager to find out more about their history. I have a family friend who is an expert in antique arms and owns a shop, so I will take the items to him for some further advice. I agree with your comment Grey that I do not yet know how to properly care for these items, but I will do my research and take my time to make sure they are well cared for. I shall keep you all updated and perhaps post i this forum before I make any decisions regarding proper preservation or restoration. I have no idea what these things are actually worth and whether it would even be worth having them restored. Thanks again, I really appreciate all the comments from everyone.

apologies for the lack of signeture, I think this is fixed now. Well I am hoping to start a collection of WWII items as I am a teacher by trade and have an interest in that era, and even better to have artefacts for them to look at (but not touch haha) that were really from that period of time. Who knows how this collection may grow!!

Thanks Kronos, I'll see if I can order some in. That is useful that you can perhaps get it at maplin. Now to do some research into Echizen Kuni Kanenori...

Oh yes of course! Thanks a lot, Ill get them off now! :D

I dont have any pure alcohol or the stuff you recommended. Anything household I could use on it now do you think? Maybe even just wiping with dry paper towels??

oh wow! That has surprised me!!! pretty incredible craftsmanship!! I think maybe i will look into having is preserved properly then... Any companies you would recommend? I am in the UK You have been so helpful Stephen! And thanks to everyone else who has spared time on my new possessions :D

Here are pics of the blade: http://imgur.com/a/rDJKV There is some sort of oil on it, i assume to try and preserve it. It dosnt strike me as hand made by looking at it, but what do I know? Also, with regards to the tsuba... that is just centuries of dust... it is the gold colour like the tirimming. As I mentioned above, I dont want to clean this with the incorrect technique so have not touched anything on it yet apart from take the handle off to see the sig.

Stephen, I'm so sorry, I actually didnt see all that information you posted below the picture (the right way around). I thought it was your sig!! Thats amazing! Just about to post some pics of the blade. It is very shiny but looks like someone may have tried to sharpen it at some point :S

Thanks Kai-Gunto! Have just been googling that thank to you and have found information. Thanks! Thank Kronos for the Echizen Kuni Kanenori comment. It does look like that sig So what should I have done with these items? I want them to be preserved in the states they are in, but I know that a lot of the time cleaning items like these can actually degrade them somewhat. Could anyone suggest or give me tip of how to care for these things? The last thing I want to do is make a cardinal sin without realising it?

And here are some pictures of the dagger. I dont think they are related as the scabbard (I really do apologise if that is the wrong word for the sheath) is made of a different material. http://imgur.com/a/0Tars

You can find some pictures of it here: http://imgur.com/a/DMe3A

I'll have a look for the date now... You have all been so helpful so far! I'm very thankful! I also have a dagger that i got with it, but unsure if it has any relation to the sword.

Thanks Grey! Yeah I had just taken the pin thing out so i could easily show in the video. It is back in now. Ill sort out a larger picture... Thanks

Hi there, I recently came into posession of a (presumed Japanese) sword. I was wondering is anyone could help me identify a year or perhaps where this sword came from? I posted on another forum and they suspected it was a fake. I am honestly not bothered if this sword is fake or not, as it was handed down to me so has sentimental value regardless of its authenticity. Below are some pictures and a video of the sword. Pics: http://imgur.com/a/DMe3A Video: https://vimeo.com/157847736?utm_source=email&utm_medium=vimeo-cliptranscode-201504&utm_campaign=28749 I have tried to do my own research (I didnt want to just come on here and take the lazy route), but I am completely new to all this and it is all very confusing :S I am not even sure which way up the sig is supposed to be? Thanks in advance for your help. Wieble