chgruener

I generally refrain from any sort of restorative work on damaged blades. This is now my 3rd. One is rather quite nice despite taking a bullet, and actually splitting the bullet in half. The other is a Copper handle Type 95 NCO sword which was struck multiple times by shrapnel, similar to this blade. I plan on oiling the blade and removing any physical dirt, but keeping it as is. I will though seek out a period tsuka with similar “wear and tear”, along with the correct fittings.

Bruce, Thank you for your reply. I will definitely take a look at that link. I’ve been able to read into SMR because of this group’s assistance and it’s quite interesting. This is why Im so fascinated by battle damage, regardless of condition. These pieces experienced war and ultimately felt similar consequences as their owners. It’s as close as we can get to those men.

Thank you! The blade’s condition has been seriously neglected over the years, and parts from the tsuba and below are missing. The scabbard was struck multiple times by shrapnel, with one piercing the scabbard, striking the blade, denting and bending it.

Hello all, Is anyone able to translate or recognize the signature on this blade? Thank you for taking a look!

Thank you for clarifying! Always learn something new here.

Jean, Thank you for the very detailed reply! Glad to hear it’s a decent example. Would the Tsuka have had Same? I would assume it was wrapped at one point. As for the Kogatana, does that appear to be an authentic signature? I researched that smith a little bit and it appears that he is highly regarded and his works are quite valuable. v/r Chris

Jean, See attached photos. Hopefully these help.

I can’t believe I forgot to post photos of the nakago. Here are some I have

Just took another look, no star anywhere or other numbers.

Bruce, it looks stamped rather than inked. I did not look for any other numbers but none stood out to me.

Hey all, I recently acquired this in a trade today and am wondering what the experts think. Blade is unsigned, but inside the scabbard is a hidden blade with a signature on it. I know nothing about this piece, so if you have any info to provide it will be very appreciated, especially smith and age of the blade! Thank you!

Bruce, this is a photo of the other side. I also now realize that there may be a number “2”.

Thank you, Bruce. Nothing else from my observations. Just the signature as photographed.

Hello all, This sword is in my personal collection and I was wondering if someone could identify the smith and possibly the age of the blade. I’m assuming that this is a fairly “new” blade, being made in the 1940s, but it does seem to have been remounted once before being damaged. Based on the damage, it does appear that the blade took a direct hit from a bullet which was subsequently split in two. You can see the channels formed by the two halves, one exiting cleanly off to the right and the other to the left. See Imgur link for more detailed photos. https://imgur.com/a/Nrvm5ms

Hello all, Been awhile since I posted anything new from the museum. I believe this is a general officer’s sword, but if anyone can confirm or deny, that would be helpful. Any additional information about the technicalities would be very appreciated! More photos due to size limitations: https://imgur.com/a/MZ0Ggtb

Hello all, Been awhile since I posted anything new from the museum. According to provenance, this sword belonged to Major General Yamamoto, who I understand was the commanding general for the Japanese Army’s 157th Infantry Division. Not 100% sure if accurate. The sword was surrendered to US Brigadier General M. B. Bell of the 81st Infantry Division. Please see this link for more detailed photos, I cannot post the others due to size: https://imgur.com/a/HqSUvnj Any input on this sword would be greatly appreciated. Especially possible age, information about MG Yamamoto, and technical info about the sword. Thank you!

No provenance to my knowledge. These are the only photos I have of the sword

Hello all, This one has puzzled me for some time, however I haven’t properly done my research on it. I’m assuming this mount and scabbard are early 1900s. The blade is what I’m curious about. The etchings are unique, something I don’t see too often, and there is no signature. It does appear to have been remounted at least once before. Any input is greatly appreciated!

Battle damaged “Copper Handle” Type 95 NCO sword. Struck 3 times, once on the tsuka, twice on the scabbard, with one passing through the scabbard and the blade. Interesting to see that the piece of shrapnel that struck lowest was soft enough to form the scabbard to the blade, making an impression of the fuller. Pretty neat example. If you like of the damage, the sword has to be drawn about half an inch, clear of the catch. I would assume that it was being drawn or placed back inside at the time it was damaged.

Hello all, It is my educated opinion that this damage is the result of shrapnel, possibly from a grenade or artillery. There are three total strikes on the sword: one on the scabbard, one through the scabbard and blade, and one on the handle. The trajectory of the projectiles appear to be directed downward, meaning they came from slightly above the carrier of the sword. Lining up the blade with the damage shows us that the sword was partially drawn, approximately one quarter to one half inch, clear of the catch. Interestingly, the projectile that struck the scabbard (did not penetrate), actually formed the metal scabbard to the blade, leaving the impression of the blade’s fuller. The projectile that struck the handle appears to still be embedded inside. Link to all images: https://imgur.com/a/0h261g3

I myself am one of those collectors. I specifically collect battle damaged Japanese rifles.

Thank you so much! Do you have an approximation for date?

Hello all, Here is a Kai-Gunto in the collection. This one caught my eye due to its size. It is extremely short, much shorter than all the other examples by at least a couple inches. Please see the Imgur link for detailed photos of the signature and blade. https://imgur.com/a/yAknlES

This sword is one that I was unable to disassemble. But I have began to post more.

Thank you, George! For complete transparency, these are not my swords. These belong to the National Infantry Museum in Columbus, Georgia. However, they often refer to the collection as the “people’s collection”.