BurtMayer

I’ll have to take this to the lab and have it carbon dated. Looks like some very old rust. I think maybe a previous owner did oil the tang which may have inadvertently removed some of the built up rust.

Given that I originally believed this is to be a hand forged blade I placed it in this forum. While I do not think this blade was made in the 1600's. Who knows when it actually was? Its a little different then what I see online and at shows. Mods feel free to move the topic if needed.

I copied this paragraph from "https://nihonto.com/459-2/". Hopefully it does not offered or violate anyone. Q. Is it possible the 2 and 3 hash marks on my swords tang are an indication of original length? "MISC - Hizen blades are said to have the most stylish shape of all Shinto works, which opinion is probably based on their perfectly balanced curvature. The most popular length was 2 shaku and 2-3 sun (66.7-69.7cm). The Hizen works have a beautiful jihada, but since the kawagane (skin steel) is thin, there are frequently works where shintetsu has crept out. Not withstanding this trait, Hizen blades have, throughout their history, been highly sought by both Samurai and modern day collectors."

I also did not know what this was. After some research I realized it is a good thing.

Thank you Bruce.

Geraint, thank you kindly for the summary. I also appreciate all the other answers and comments. I do wonder what you mean by "if it does turn out to be gendaito which puts it into a whole other bracket." I did read that topic days before I posted my example. I felt that there was no definitive answer. The comments discuss that there is much to learn about Hizen smiths that is unknown, mentioned by Cabowen. I also read it as, there is another name to research. The comment about 1934 was made by another bystander at the show. I believe he was saying that about the timeframe in which the blade was mounted into the current fittings. Like it was in other fittings earlier as mentioned in the other topic. He was an asian gentleman (and I say this because he seemed to know what he was talking about Japanese swords, I did not) and also said the Tsuba and parts were of the "highest quality and special order." This guy was looking at other swords that were not WWII military related. He said for a WWII collector this sword was very very high in desirability, almost but not quite to the top of the top, and that the polish was the highest level. He said it would be very difficult to find/locate a nicer one. About the 5 notches. I do see a small division between 2 and 3 of the hash marks. "3" being the number on all the small parts of this sword in its current mounting. Why would they also paint a number 3 on it? I've searched the net for weeks, and no one definitively knows the answer. The answer is always batted back and forth. Also why the 2 holes in the tang? Same as the blade in the other topic. It is hard to see if the blade in the other topic has the notches, but then its also not mentioned. The old tag that is attached has a previous owners name attached. It has scotch tape in two small spots. The tape has turned a deep orange yellow. Without carbon dating it, I'd guess it was placed there in the 70's or earlier. The owner passed in 2023 in his high 80's. His obituary states that he was an avid collector of antique guns and stuff. Guys who bought good stuff early and held onto it. Not to see the outside world until they pass. This tag is the one that says "Tachi Blade" above "Shin Shinto" in old ink, and maybe that's not correct. The dealer tag is the one that says Edo Period. All and all, it is what it is. I thank everyone for their thoughts and comments. I purchased this sword because I liked it and I feel there is something special about it. Its super sharp. Sorry for the long winded response. I have few others, but not like this one so its very interesting and addictive. Burt

Looks like liquid metal.

It’s taken me forever to capture the Hada, or did my camera play tricks on my eyes? Konuka Hada?

Thanks Bruce, photos of the saya are in the group. All of this makes sense, other than a very very old antique manilla tag that gives all the specs and has lines that say, Tachi blade, Hizen Kuni Tadaaki Saku, Shin Shinto, Metal case." Makes me wonder who looked at this years ago and what made them write the comments.

On the tag it stated Tachi blade, Edo period and Shin Shinto. What does this mean? I should have said in 5. I was told it was a blade made Edo period, then remounted prewar? I sort of understand what that means, but is it true? Do the 5 notches indicate it’s older?

WWII Officers Sword - Tell me what I have? A recent local pick up. I know very little about Japanese swords. Someone told me this was a very good example and that the blade polish was very very high. Things I note: (Pardon my terminology, I'm new) 1. Five marks on end of tang. Blade testing's? 2. The high polish. 3. Overall Length 34 1/4, cutting edge 25 7/8. 4. Shadow highlight that looks like a "G over 3". Was this a spot that was originally painted on that was removed when fitted during WWII. 5. One person at the show said they believed it was WWII fitted about 1934 or earlier? No idea why they said that. 6. Two holes. One for the original assembly, the second for WWII? 7. I have good reason to believe this is out of an old collection. All photos are too large so below is a Google Photo Album Click here to see photos BurtM