ChrisW

Probably the most active hada I've ever seen in a gendaito. Love it.

Most definitely not Japanese.

I am afraid your your link is broken.

Well... it might be the remains of a much larger blade (sword), made somewhere around Vienna with imperial proofmarks (the crown) which is similar to how most of Europe did things during that time. Or it could be a knife. But my gut says its broken remains of a sword as I don't think many places would proofmark a simple iron knife. Silver they would have absolutely proofmarked, but I think you've got the bottom portion of a broken sword that's been carved up to fit in a kogatana slot. The proofmarking is rather simplistic compared to military ones, so this one might just be a small-time maker. Similar to how there were dozens of makers of swords in the US Civil War era that are poorly documented as compared to larger manufacturers like Ames and Pettibone. I am also less inclined to think it was originally a knife due to how thick it appears to be. If it had started as a knife, those proofmarks would be gone as knives are obviously much thinner than a sword would be. But I could be wrong! Either way, it is definitely much reduced and from around Vienna. Probably 1700-1880's or so.

Not sure of the manufacturer/proof marks, but I am pretty sure that says "Vienna" on the bottom line.

Best of luck! Looking forward to seeing what you find.

I agree with Ray here, hagire tend to be perpendicular to the ha.

I would pass. I think you can do better for the money considering its an auction that still has some time to go (I don't think it is a 'buy it now' situation?).

It is a quite attractive piece with an interesting story. I agree with John here, maybe a proper polish if you don't agree with the improvised polish?

I am not recommending any particular togishi. Also, a person has to be extremely full of themself to think they know better than a properly trained togishi (they have to spend often a decade or more before being acknowledged as fully trained). In the end, the final word on if a blade is able to be restored/worth it is by togishi (note that the plural and singular form of that noun is togishi). I never once said he had to take the word of a SINGLE togishi as final judgement. In this case, I believe you're the one building an information barrier by insinuating the blade is not worth it to have restored (via saying there is too much rust, possible flaws [which can only be seen in hand on this particular blade], and citing cost as an issue). I agree that he does need information from different sources, but he should take anything anyone says regarding the possibility of restoration on an online forum with a grain of salt. In hand is ALWAYS better, and togishi judgement is the final word because they are the ones who do the work. If you think a togishi is leading someone by the nose, you either have a personal problem with that particular togishi, or you haven't given thought to seeking another togishi. I don't claim to be a togishi; I only acknowledge their mastery in this subject. George, this is your blade, and I agree with you that it is worth it to get it in the hands of a togishi for assessment and a possible window. Maybe bring it to the Chicago or San Fransisco shows if you can make it? I don't know if any/how many togishi from the states/abroad may attend, but you could at least hear other formative opinions from other collectors!

Probably a spot where a bit of metallic or enamel inlay was and has since fallen out. Or could be recent and done by someone who had no idea what they were doing (trying to make a necklace and discovering the metal is harder than they thought or something like that).

That is something that could only be decided by an in-hand assessment; but also whether or not it should be polished is a togishi's call, not someone on an internet forum who is only looking at pictures. You're telling him to not pursue it on suppositions and what if's. His reasons are his alone. It might just be a study piece, or he might be thinking of restoring it. The best answer we should give him is to let someone whose career is polishing to decide.

If it fits well in the scabbard? Unlikely.. Wartime made scabbards made for wartime blades generally fit less forms than older style blades which have a different curvature by comparison. You could check, if the scabbard is already split, by laying it in one half of the saya and see how it conforms to the inside. Does the habaki fit well in the mouth of the scabbard? With time, it does wear open wider, but if it fits well, that helps to confirm its correct.

I'm not seeing any significant damage that would make it anymore expensive to polish than an average out-of-polish blade. I think that sort of judgement call should be made in hand. Either way, this should be seen in person by a togishi to make that call! And I agree with Brian, its a very nice motif!

I would say this has some potential under all that rust!

Congratulations on achieving that dream!

The hada is certainly very attractive.

I wonder if its beyond saving? Or if its even worth it. Do you all think it holds more importance as it is or restored?

Love the blade shape!

You'd be best suited to getting a modern-made sword or having one made to your specifications; that way, you'll know exactly what you're getting. If you get an antique one, not only would you be destroying a piece of history/art work, but you'd run the risk of having it fail spectacularly due to a higher chance of an unseen flaw. There's a lot of modern made blades/shinsakuto that would suit your needs. Paul Chen are good I've heard, as well as any number of modern Japanese-made shinsakuto. If price is a concern, I'd go with Chinese-made ones like Paul Chen (Hanwei I believe is the brand name) or even Korean-made blades. In the end, only you would know its origin and the performance is nearly the same when comparing Chinese/Korean to Japanese made modern blades. There's lots of sites like this one: https://www.martialartswords.com/ where you can get a sword made more or less custom to your needs. I know I've seen sites where you can even specify the steel used/hamon pattern.

I imagine the habaki was sheared in half by the force of the impact, yes?

How bad is the damage to the blade? Always is neat seeing these things.

No problem! Excited to hear what you find!

Neat! This checks off two interests of mine: nihonto and marine archaeology. What an interesting piece! Got any story behind it to share?

I agree with Bruce and Brian here; its worth at least looking into. It looks like it could be quite a beauty if polished.