Found Two Swords In An Attic

[Isidor]

I made a long post and clicked on "My media" to try and upload some pictures, somehow everything I wrote was gone. The post took a long time to write and I don't feel like typing it all out again at the moment. So I hope It's ok that I link to the original post I made on reddit instead.

 

"While helping a friend move from an old house we found two old-looking blades in the attic, he wanted to throw them away so I took them instead." reddit/r/swords

 

The very knowledgeable Gabriel told me to post here for some more opinions.

If you need more photos on any certain part please tell me.

 

Great forum btw, I can see that alot of cunning people has gathered here.

 

[Mark]

ok. sorry did not realize language barrier,

[Shugyosha]

I really have to get a better attic. 

[Kronos]

 

from google dictionary

cun·ning

adjective

adjective: cunning;

1.

having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion.

 

noun

noun: cunning

1.

skill in achieving one's ends by deceit

 

 

 

Chill out Mark,  I presume he means knowledgeable or similar as English is not his first language.

 

As for the swords,

 

My initial impression is that the Muneshige is beyond repair due mainly to the largest chip which won't polish out and the rust/damaged shinogi would most likely be too severe to fix without removing too much steel leaving a tired blade.

 

The Tachi on the other hand is very interesting as it looks very early but there are a few concerns. The rust is quite severe which is of more concern given that it's probably been polished considerably in it's lifetime and is quite a thin blade already. Also the hi (groove) looks strange and maybe poorly cut.  To really know whether it's salvageable it'd need to go to a polisher for sure and probably have a window opened up.

 

Out of interest what are the measurements of the tachi, namely width at the yokote (vertical ridge line near the tip), width at the machi (the notches were the habaki goes that seperate the tang from the blade) and thickness at the machi.

[Brian]

Both real of course. But condition is pretty poor.

As always, Gabriel has been extremely useful and given you a huge amount of info in that thread. You say they were found in Sweden? We have a number of Scandinavian members here who might be able to assist.

The one on the left intrigues me. Love a nice long sword with well cut hi (groove) but please tell me that isn't a crack halfway up the left hand side?

Both should be checked out by someone qualified, to see if they are worth investigating further. Nice score!

 

Brian

[Kronos]

Brian I noticed that crack as well, a close up photo of that on both sides would be enlightening.

[Isidor]

I really have to get a better attic. 

Sometimes luck strikes

 

Chill out Mark,  I presume he means knowledgeable or similar as English is not his first language.

 

As for the swords,

 

My initial impression is that the Muneshige is beyond repair due mainly to the largest chip which won't polish out and the rust/damaged shinogi would most likely be too severe to fix without removing too much steel leaving a tired blade.

 

The Tachi on the other hand is very interesting as it looks very early but there are a few concerns. The rust is quite severe which is of more concern given that it's probably been polished considerably in it's lifetime and is quite a thin blade already. Also the hi (groove) looks strange and maybe poorly cut.  To really know whether it's salvageable it'd need to go to a polisher for sure and probably have a window opened up.

 

Out of interest what are the measurements of the tachi, namely width at the yokote (vertical ridge line near the tip), width at the machi (the notches were the habaki goes that seperate the tang from the blade) and thickness at the machi.

Thank you for taking the time to answer. I will return with measurements tomorrow.

I've been looking for someone in Sweden that can do a window polish, but no luck so far.

 

Both real of course. But condition is pretty poor.

As always, Gabriel has been extremely useful and given you a huge amount of info in that thread. You say they were found in Sweden? We have a number of Scandinavian members here who might be able to assist.

The one on the left intrigues me. Love a nice long sword with well cut hi (groove) but please tell me that isn't a crack halfway up the left hand side?

Both should be checked out by someone qualified, to see if they are worth investigating further. Nice score!

 

Brian

Brian I noticed that crack as well, a close up photo of that on both sides would be enlightening.

After looking at the blade some more I don't think it's a crack but I will return with close up photos tomorrow.

 

 

from google dictionary

cun·ning

adjective

adjective: cunning;

1.

having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion.

 

noun

noun: cunning

1.

skill in achieving one's ends by deceit

 

You are one cunning bastard. Thank you for helping me better myself.

[nagamaki - Franco]

Noticed the crack, too, not surprising as there looks to be an awkward accelerated curve through that portion of the blade. Still, it would be interesting to attempt to figure out what this blade was once upon a time. 

[Jussi Ekholm]

Sent you a short PM regarding our local nihonto people. Getting the swords in the hands of knowledgeable collectors would be a good way to advance as they can then guide you on how to advance with them.

[Isidor]

I have been getting some messages on reddit from people wanting to buy the swords, especially the Mumei Tachi. I have no idea what to answer really, I can't afford to give the swords the care they deserve. On the other hand, I really wish I did. Anyways, I can't seem to locate the crack looking thing that's seen on the picture, It might be some play of light or image artifact.

 

I might put both swords up for sale on this forum? I guess buying them would be a risk, but maybe thats a risk some would be willing take?

 

Out of interest what are the measurements of the tachi, namely width at the yokote (vertical ridge line near the tip), width at the machi (the notches were the habaki goes that seperate the tang from the blade) and thickness at the machi.

Yokote: 1 cm

Width at the machi: 2.5 cm

Thickness at the machi: 0.6 cm

 

Sent you a short PM regarding our local nihonto people. Getting the swords in the hands of knowledgeable collectors would be a good way to advance as they can then guide you on how to advance with them.

Thank you, I've sent a reply!

[Isidor]

Some more pictures of the Mumei Tachi:

http://imgur.com/a/WI5Uh

[Kronos]

I've sent you a PM.

[Darcy]

The mumei tachi is no longer a tachi. It used to be a tachi. Now it's a katana. It's a bit confusing for nomenclature but to be a tachi then a substantial (possibly majority) part of the original nakago needs to be on it still. Or it needs to be in tachi mounts. If it's got neither it's a katana now.

 

It looks like someone had the swords out to play swordfight as they are both nicked and chipped considerably down the edges. That in combination with the rusted state, means just take best offer from whomever or put them on ebay and get what the market will give you. 

 

I think the Muneshige looks like it's in worse condition than the other but just may be because the photos are more clear.