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