Titan International

Well again I thank all of you for the help. I think I will post this for sale here and let someone who can fully appreciate this give it a home. Would 1,250 be a reasonable price? How would a transaction be handled if not in person? Wondering how both myself and buyer would be safe against fear of fraud, etc?

Vajo - thank you for the correct assembly instruction. I re-assembled it in the same order it was in when it came into my possession. Possibly assembled incorrectly by my uncle or grandfather. Geraint - I hear you loud and clear, thank you for the advice. Now that you mention it I do recall a past incident involving the owner of the petaluma military museum, and the end result was not one of a positive note.... And as far as personal family history with this sword is concerned, the story is as follows. I have had my eye's on this sword as long as I can remember, and I am now 39. It has switched hands between my grandfather and my uncle several times over the years, and was accompanied by a Japanese battle flag that sadly was sold to a collector in Rhonert park CA last year due to financial issues that occur when family members pass on. The sword has now come into my possesion by inheritance as I am the last remaining of my family line. I remember several times hearing that one of my Grandfathers friends had brought this back from the war and gifted it to him several years after returning back to the states. My grandfather was a bomber pilot, so it is very unlikely that he was the original "importer". I will seek more info among those remaining who may know more and will post anything I find of relevance here. Lastly, I would not assume that there is any way to give an accurate appraisal over the internet, but is there a ballpark amount that can be expected from a specimen such as this? Adam J.

Wow!I am beyond shocked with this info....thank you all very much indeed. At this point I am torn between keeping this sword as a family heirloom, or selling it to a collector who will keep it safe. Are there any museum's that may take this to display yet allow my family to retain ownership? Anyhow I took a few more photos of the release buttons, and if any more are needed please let me know. And again I want to thank all of you for your help. Adam J.

Geraint - Thank you very much for the reply and info. I will absolutely post more detailed photos later today,and will take close ups of the release button/star. Yes, all pieces are clearly punch marked 4. Would you mind elaborating on re-mounted civilian Katana's please.I assume it may have been a family's sword that was re-mounted at time of military service? And just to be clear, this is NOT a machine made blade, but a traditional correct?

Hello everyone, New member, and first post. Thank you ahead of time for any help with gathering info on a sword that I recently inherited. I know very little about this sword other than that it has been with my family for well over 30 years now, and that it is razor friggin sharp! My own research has led me to the point of posting for help due to the huge amount info available online and limited time available to absorb it all. Will post a few photos along with this post, and if any additional photos will help please let me know. Would love to find out if this is one of the machine made or traditional blades, and any other interesting bits of information available. I am located in the California bay area and would like to know if there are any reputable places in my area where I can take the sword for further identification and or possible sale. Thank you again Adam J.