KB1107

Sorry... 2of the same above. These are the only pics

Yes,,, he just wrote back and said he sent the wrong pics. You’re correct Brian it’s the gunto... here’s the pics of the Tachi... not great pics. Looks like a replica blade as stated above.

I think it will clean up nicely... surely not the best example. It has a used look....

Here’s pics of the blade... much better than what I saw in the initial photo. Seller told me he won’t remove the handle due to the age of the blade... I’m heading to see him shortly

The type 98 looks nice! Hahha

Thank you all... yes, the blade is JACKED! If it’s the original blade. Very good possibility the blade isn’t original since everything was removed from tsuka. I will definitely post more pics when I get them.

From the two pics of the blade... you won’t be impressed. Here’s the only pics in the ad of the blade

Hi Brian... thanks for the response. It was just listed yesterday... he’s about 30 minutes from me. Pardon my ignorance... but what is the giveaway that it’s a tachi? I thought that they were very elaborate?

Hello all, I saw this listing for sale this am locally... the seller has it listed as a WW2 Naval sword. The hardware doesn’t resemble a Japanese naval sword, maybe type 94? Or, due to the lack of markings on the fittings... Not Japanese? The sword has seen better days, but I’m curious as to what type sword it is.The tsuba is also a bit different. The seller has this sword and another (type 98) for sale (Which is in much better condition). The listing says both swords are bring backs by a family member from WW2. Sorry, I just saw the listing this am and I know everybody will ask about the tang. I already sent a message to the seller asking if removing the handle is a possibility to photograph the nakago. As I said, this katana is in very poor condition and blade looks badly scratched, suspension rings are missing, wrapping on tsuka missing, etc... The asking price on this piece is quite high at $500.00... the type 98 asking is $1200

Hi Brian, They’re not my swords and I don’t like to tell people to do something they’re not comfy in doing. I also don’t want to feel responsible if he gets a little too aggressive with removing the tsuka and something breaks. I explained to him it’s a simple process of removing a wooden dowel. I’m heading up to see them in August... maybe I can help him and post pics here if that happens. Believe me... I would like to know if there’s a signature and what time period they’re from as well. Thanks for the post, David

Hi Colin, I completely agree with your assessment of these swords and actually told Bruce the same thing... (that’s the reason I mentioned about the 2 suspension rings, I was thinking naval as well). All the saya’s appear to be in rough condition as you’ve said... all the blades look to be in prett good condition... limited staining. I advised him to refrain from touching with bare hands and to put a light coat of oil on them once in while. A very good possibility that they’re old blades... Thanks again for chiming in! David

Hi Jace, Thanks for the post... I don’t think he’s that interested about the swords to go to San Francisco (Not too far from him in Colorado). Collecting swords or WW2 items isn’t a hobby of his. He knows I collect WW1 & WW2 weapons and was just curious if I could tell him anything about these swords. I told him what I thought... and also wanted to know what this forum thought with the limited pics and info the he sent me. Thanks again, David

Thank you for the comments... the blades aren’t in my possession. My brother in law doesn’t want to take them apart to expose the tang. I was only questioning the the mounts and the saya’s. I’ve told him the same about the blades... use a light coat of oil and don’t touch with bare hands

Sorry, these are the only photos that I have... the tsuka’s have never been removed. These swords are exactly how they were when brought back to US from WW2

And the third...

Here’s second sword

Hello all, My brother in law sent me these few photos of swords he acquired when his father passed away several years ago. Apparently, he brought back all three swords while stationed in Japan during and after the war. I told him that I believe all three are civilian swords. The saya’s with suspension rings has me scratching my head though. Thoughts?

All done... cut & fitted both seppas, works well. I had to do some work on that locking pin that locks the sword in the scabbard (The locking piece wasn’t quiet long enough to latch to the saya). I’m convinced that the handle isn’t original to the sword. I believe the scabbard/ saya is original. Lastly, the paper actually worked... it’s nice and tight! I receive another orphan tomorrow that needs lots of work... For $300.00 I’m not complaining too much (WW2 Katana and saya). Thanks again for the help.. D

Hahaha nice!

I’m not familiar with that... I will google it. Thank you!

Thanks guys... I've experimented with the seppa’s... 2-3 is max... takes out a lot of the slop... but the problem is mostly in the tsuka & the Nakago. I might have to stuff something in the opening of the tsuka to take up the slack. I’d have to use too many seppas to get to the bigger hole in the Nakago..

Thanks for the reply John, Yes, the Nakago it’s definitely JACKED!... I’m with you... who knows when it was done. Other than the Nakago, I’m happy with the sword and shows well. I just don’t now how to make the handle fit tighter to the sword. I really don’t want to alter the Nakago to fit the handle tighter. I’d rather leave it as is and just get creative. i can take up some slack with the seppa(s)... I’ll think of something to make it work. Was just hoping somebody here could help. Thank you again for your reply, David

Hello all, I’m looking for a little guidance on this sword that I purchased a few months ago. The sword was in “OK” condition when I received it... but really needed some TLC. Since being retired, my passion has been buying pieces that need fixing or repair (WW2 Guns, swords, and bayonets). Anyways, the piece of the sword in question is the tang, primarily the holes in the tang. The three holes you see are all relatively close to the same size, one might be a smidge larger than the other two. The weird part is the two holes in the handle are much larger than the holes in the tang. The peg used to secure the handle to the sword has to be small enough to fit through the hole in the tang, but doesn’t do much good for the handle. This causes a lot of up/down movement in the blade. Has anybody had this experience? Any suggestions on a fix? Also, there wasn't a seppa on the sword when I received it (I’m currently working on fitting a seppa or two to the sword). The first hole is the one that I’ll be using. I don’t know if the hole was time period made or not, I have my suspicions. I also wonder if the handle is original... the holes in the tang are much smaller than any of the swords that I have. I also find this a bit bizarre. The saya had had a ton of rust on it... I was surprised to see a finish still exists under all that rust I cleaned off of it. The wire wrapping around the handle was all loose and bent (That wasn’t very fun to fix)... the blade looks to have an odd hamon, initially I thought it was a straight hamon line... but it looks different in different lighting. Some surface scratches on the blade, but not rust or pitting.

Shamsy, Thanks again for the info! It sounds like there’s no absolute way to be sure of the serial number originality no matter how you cut it. It’s a crap shoot! Thank you again for the info... I will think twice about purchasing a type 32 sword with a lower serial number in the future. Hopefully, one day these swords with increase in value as the type 95’s have done. Some of the the type 95’s are costing more than the traditionally made blades! Crazy....

Thanks Shamsy, So, if the numbers were ground off and new numbers stamped... wouldn’t the thickness of the blade at the ricasso be less? I would assume that there would be a way to distinguish between original and re-applied numbers. Also, I wonder why they wouldn’t put a character next to the number to distinguish this change, similar to what Bruce mentioned with his scabbard/saya. interesting... thanks again for the info