WillieGilligan

What exactly is in this? I can’t read Japanese……

Thanks Steve! Got any good sources where I can get the camellia oil/clove oil mix?

Is there someone in the Indiana/Ohio area that you would recommend? I really was mainly interested in what type, etc when I came on here, but I admit I’m a little intrigued. If I were to get someone to inspect it, I want to make sure I get a good, qualified person. I may just be happy knowing what I know now. This was my dad’s, and that’s the most important thing to me. My dad was a Bronze Star Medal winner, a Presidential Unit Citation winner, and would never talk about it. The write up I found for the Presidential Unit Citation was enough to show me a little glimpse of what he went through……

Thanks for all the feedback. I will see about more pictures of the nakago. The mekugi does not align exactly which makes it interesting. Also, what is a good quality oil that you recommend?

It has been fascinating reading the comments. This sword has a high likelihood of being brought from the field of battle, along with a couple other items. I look forward to any other observations. I will find a good quality oil to put on it. What is the best way to go about displaying it? I have my dad’s shadow box on the wall and would like to display this with it. Thanks for all your help! Jim

And these......

Thanks guys! I have removed the tsuka and taken a few more pictures. The blade seems to be around 83 cm, and the cutting edge is about 66 cm, the the nakago around 17 cm. You can see in the first picture taken of the entire blade next to a tape measure. There is no writing on the nakago. There is no writing on the blade. It does appear there is a fingerprint on the blade, also a notch. You can see the hamon (temper line) in one of the original pictures (next to last). I found the heart shaped holes in the tsuba and the inner seppa. I also took a picture of the blade latch, which is broken.

More.....

My dad served in WWII in the Philippines. His main service was on the Ville Verde Trail. When he came home, he brought a couple things with him, one off which was a sword. I recently came into possession of this sword, and I'm looking for any information I can get on it. I am including pictures (I think it'll take 4 posts given the size limits). I have tried to get pictures of all aspects of the sword. The tsuka is in bad shape. I have not removed the mekugi and taken the tsuka off yet to check for anything and frankly, I'm a bit nervous about doing that given the shape of the tsuka. I will do so if needed though. If any other pictures are needed, let me know and I will take them. If lower resolution pictures are ok, I will start sizing them down some. Just let me know. Any information will be appreciated. Thanks!