rainey

Brian Thank you for your response. I have a couple of questions about the file marks if you don't mind. First, are the fancy file marks more difficult and time consuming to do? I've been told that sometimes they were done and no signature added due to modesty. Is this correct? Also are fancy file marks normally found on a machine made sword? I appreciate your interest. Lori

Hi Mark; I'm in Oklahoma and haven't been able to find anyone close by.

Hi Stephen - Thanks for your reply. I really wasn't looking for an appraisal. I guess my last post was a little snippy. I'm just trying to learn all I can about my sword and swords in general and have found this site and the message board members to be very knowledgable. I guess I was concerned that everyone was frustrated with me and was through responding. I too was concentrating on the area I thought was a signature, but have also realized what I'm looking at is just deep file marks. I'm going to try to do oshigata, but the rust has made some interesting patterns and don't know if it will come out or not. Again, thanks for your helpfulness. Lori

I guess we've decided the sword I have is of no value?? Thank you for your time, gentlemen.

I don't think the drawings showed up in my previous post. Thanks Lori

Thank you all for all of your suggestions and offers of help. I'm going to try again to post pictures; hopefully they will be easier to view. I can't find any visable signature on the tang or blade, but have attached a drawing of what I see in the file marks. I really appreciate all of your assistance. Thank you Lori

I tried the machine oil and the habaki still won't come off. I'm not sure what to try next. I'm going to concentrate on getting clearer pictures posted within the next day or so. Thank you for all of your help. Sincerely, Lori

Thank you, Steve. I will try the machine oil. I can't get it to budge. I'll post again with results. :-) Lori

Is there a certain type of oil made specifically for this or can I use olive oil or cooking oil? I hope my questions aren't silly, but I really don't have a clue what I'm doing, and I really don't want to mess up my Dad's sword :-) Thank you again for your help and patience with me. Lori

Thank you Piers and Stephen for your ideas and opinions. I have only started to research this sword within the last few days. It has been hanging on my Dad's wall since his brother returned from Tokyo after WWII. We know absolutely nothing about it! I have tried to remove the Habaki with no success, but I will try again. I'm a little afraid of damaging the sword or myself!! I will also try to get better pictures. Thank you again for your help, and I'll let you know the outcome. Sincerely, Lori

A few more pictures.

Hello Piers Thank you for your helpful suggestions. I have tried to take some close ups of the parts of the blade you suggested. Hopefully, they will come out okay. I did find some numbers on the handle parts. They all have what looks like the number 156, but I can not find a number on the blade. Could it be on the tang under all the rust? Also there are some markings on the top of the handle where it meets the handle or guard with all the washers. I have tried to include photos of those too, but my camera just isn't powerful enough to get that close and be clear. Again, thank you for your help. Lori

Piers, thank you for your welcome and response to my question. I will try to attach photos. Thanks again. Lori

Hi ! I'm new to your site, but have really enjoyed learning from all the wonderful information. I have a question about a World War II Japanese Sword that has been in my family as long as I can remember. My uncle brought it back from Japan after WWII and gave it to my Dad. It looks identical to the one at the top of the page listed as "Japanese Military Swords I". I have removed the handle looking for markings on the tang, and found none. My question is - Is there always a mark of some sort on the tang to immediately identify the sword as traditionally made and not machine made? Could it be traditionally made and still have no identifying marks? I would appreciate any assistance. Thanks Lori