type 19 kyu gunto dress swords, i love them.

[Conway S]

CJ, 

 

To my eye that looks like a "W" as in Wakase Military Sword Workshop. A better photo of that stamp would probably help.  

 

Conway

[Bruce Pennington]

3 hours ago, Conway S said:

Wakase Military Sword Workshop

Dang, Conway, you're right!  

 

Wakasei Seisaku Jo
Located in Tokyo. They made army and navy koshirae. They won a Minister of the Navy Award in the koshirae section of the Shinsaku Tenrankai.
 

[Conway S]

Greetings, 

 

Can anyone translate this inscription? Are the first two characters from top-bottom a name, 千青, followed by 校三 "School 3." Academy sword or something else? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

Conway 

 

[CJ_Tech]

On 8/11/2023 at 3:46 PM, CJ_Tech said:

My Grandfather gave me this when I was a child, is this a Japanese WWII army officer Type 19 Kyu-Gunto?

 

 

On 8/11/2023 at 3:46 PM, CJ_Tech said:

 

 

 

Here are some more photos

[CJ_Tech]

Any place in Boston MA area I can get it appraised and reconditioned or should I keep it original ?

[Kiipu]

5 hours ago, Conway S said:

Are the first two characters from top-bottom a name, 千青, followed by 校三 "School 3." Academy sword or something else?

 

The sword belonged to a youth school.  The school name is abbreviated and thus difficult to identify exactly what school it is.  These school markings are common on swords, rifles, and bayonets, used for training.

[Conway S]

5 hours ago, CJ_Tech said:

Any place in Boston MA area I can get it appraised and reconditioned or should I keep it original ?

 

CJ, 

 

I think the first post in this thread summed up collecting Japanese parade swords pretty well. There are people who collect these but the common variations do not command a premium. Take a look on eBay sold items and you will get a pretty good idea of the market.

 

As far as getting it refurbished, most collectors would say it ruins the value. Even the dark patination of the brass is more desirable than brass that has been shined up. Your sword is in good condition. The wire wrap on the grip is intact and the blade doesn't seem to be missing much of the plating. It is typical for the scabbard to have rust showing through. 

 

Conway 

[PNSSHOGUN]

Posting for posterity as it has since been sold: general grade kyu gunto with inscription noting it was a gift from former Daimyo Marquis Asano Nagakoto to Earl Abe Masatake.

 

[Kiipu]

浅野侯爵　Asano Kōshaku　Marquis Asano.

阿部伯爵　Abe Hakushaku　Earl/Count Abe.

[Conway S]

This beauty was on eBay for a while, but recently sold. I would have loved to have this one in my collection. I thought I'd post it here for reference since a German made blade is always a nice feature. There's a smilier General's grade with a Clemen & Jung Solingen blade in Dawson's book from the Plimpton collection. 

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/256453466500

 

Conway 

 

[Conway S]

Greetings, 

 

I stumbled upon this short, but informative article over on Warrelics written by the late Nick Komiya. I have't found this particular article shared before on NMB. The article on parade swords starts about half way down the 1st page of the thread. Of particular note, is the switch from nickel to chrome plating and the re-using of old parade swords to conserve materials. 

 

Dummy Sabers In the Shadow of the Samurai style Gunto

 

[Scogg]

Has anyone ever encountered one of these “E & F. Hörster Type 19 Army Field Grade Kyu-gunto”? 
 

I think I found one locally, and considered buying it, but it looked so unfamiliar with that straight blade and double bohi. It appeared chrome plated. Been regretting not picking it up. 
 

I might try to find it again, if it’s still available. 

Cheers,

Sam

Page 32 from: Swords of imperial Japan 1868-1945 Cyclopedia Edition by Jim Dawson

[Conway S]

Hello Sam, 

 

I have one by E &F Horster with the two fullers. It also has a "double" Suya logo on the guard. I am always looking for examples of parade swords with the marked German blades. You should try to go back for it

 

Conway 

[Scogg]

I’m going to try to get ahold of the seller. 
 

I’ll let you know if I end up acquiring it. I know he’ll be at another show in about a month, but I am hoping I can make him an offer sooner. 

Thank you Conway! 

Cheers,

-Sam 

[Scogg]

I contacted the seller, and going to meet him at one of the upcoming local shows. Earliest I’ll be able to get it, IF I can, will be end of February, or early March. 
 

Any idea, even roughly, what something like this might be worth? @Conway S or anyone? 
 

Full transparency: I’d like to get it for a fair price, enjoy it for a time, and sell it to someone who focuses more on these swords who might fully appreciate it. 

 

It’s for sale for near standard parade saber prices…

Cheers,

-Sam 

 

[Conway S]

Sam, 

 

Personally, I’d say $300 -$500 depending on the condition and whether it’s a field grade or company grade sword. There’s so many plain company grade swords of poor workmanship out there so it’s nice to have a more unique example. But that’s just my opinion as someone who’s a bit addicted to parade swords. Someone else who just wants one to complete their collection might not pay that much, but they also might not recognize the interesting historical context. 
 

Conway 

[Scogg]

Much appreciated, Conway!

Sounds like I can get it for a good deal, and at those prices, I might just keep it for myself as an interesting and cool example!

If I acquire it, I'll share some photos. 
Thanks again,
Cheers,
-Sam

[KungFooey]

On 1/5/2025 at 2:33 AM, Conway S said:

Greetings, 

 

I stumbled upon this short, but informative article over on Warrelics written by the late Nick Komiya. I have't found this particular article shared before on NMB. The article on parade swords starts about half way down the 1st page of the thread. Of particular note, is the switch from nickel to chrome plating and the re-using of old parade swords to conserve materials. 

 

Dummy Sabers In the Shadow of the Samurai style Gunto

 

I love Nick Komiya and wish I'd discovered him before his passing. 😥

He calls BS when he sees it and takes no prisoners - my kind of guy!

 

Dee

[Scogg]

As promised, here is the straight blade parade saber I had my eyes on. I purchased it today for $200 USD. Unfortunately there are no German markings on it that I can find. Although, the double suya stamp is cool! @Conway S @Bruce Pennington
 

Some observations:

Straight blade, plated.

No edge.

Double fuller.

”Wood” grip material?

Ornate back of handle.

Double suya stamp. 
Single scabbard hanger. 

Approximately 33 inches long from where the handle starts 32.2 inches long from where “edge” starts.

 
I like it! I think it’s neat. I plan to hold onto it as an example in my collection of a cool and unusual parade saber. The magazines in the photo I also got today. 
-Sam

 

[Bruce Pennington]

Wow, Sam, that is unique!  What a steal.  I don't have my books with me, is that Field grade or General officer backstrap?

[Scogg]

Good question Bruce, I am not sure! I’m not super familiar with these and am having a fun time thumbing through my books. 

The red circled area looks a little different to me. The cherry blossoms are 10 pedal.

 

[Conway S]

I am glad you were able to get it, Sam! The field grade and general officer back straps are identical. The only difference is the grip material. I think Dawson just simplified the back strap in his diagram.

 

It's possible your sword never had any markings on the ricasso or they may have rubbed off. Sometimes they were very faintly applied. For example, the marking on the E & F Hörster below is lightly engraved and almost gone compared to this Clemen & Jung.

 

Conway  

 

 

[Scogg]

Thank you Conway! Would you say that mine is field grade? Because it’s not tortoise shell, but a dark wood like material instead?

 

After seeing your Horster stamp, I took another close look, and can confirm it’s either not there or rubbed off completely on mine. 
 

Do I see a double suya stamp on yours, too? 
 

Thanks for all your help! 
I think it’s a cool sword. 
-Sam

[Conway S]

Yes, your's is a field grade sword. Mine also has a double Suya stamp. I am unsure what it denotes because I have seen this on swords from other shops as well. The stamps below are on a field grade sword.

 

Conway  

 

[Kantaro]

Are there Type 19 dress swords with a lock?

 

Thought I had seen one with 2 rings and a lock...mumble.

 

Thanks!

[Conway S]

Yes. Type 19 parade swords with locking mechanisms are commonly found on police swords. These also usually have a plated blade with acid-etched hamon and a habaki. This configuration is less often encountered on Army swords. 
 

If you were asking about Type 19 Kyu Gunto with fighting blades (Zohei-to, Murata-to, or traditionally made blades) these almost always have a locking mechanism. 
 

Conway 

[Kantaro]

12 minutes ago, Conway S said:

Yes. Type 19 parade swords with locking mechanisms are commonly found on police swords. These also usually have a plated blade with acid-etched hamon and a habaki. This configuration is less often encountered on Army swords. 
 

If you were asking about Type 19 Kyu Gunto with fighting blades (Zohei-to, Murata-to, or traditionally made blades) these almost always have a locking mechanism. 
 

Conway 

 

Thanks Conway!

 

Indeed I was talking only about the parade swords.

 

Any one has an example of an army one with a locking mechanism?