Vet Estate Find. Assistance Please

[gtodan]

Good Day! Pleasure to be here. Much to learn. Trying to expand my inventory of knowledge on Japanese WWII weapons. Up to date firearms have been my interest. In my recent adventure assisting a WWII widow with her husbands estate firearms she showed me this sword. I am a total novice on this subject. Perhaps you could assist me in identifying what she has. Thanks! Dan.

[SwordGuyJoe]

Careful with the blade on the cement. A really good way to break the kissaki. Remove the handle if possible so we can see the nakago.

[SteveM]

The tsuba (hand guard) looks like it has parts from an Imperial Navy sword (tsuba with rising sun spacer). Similar thing can be found on the site below, which, along with this site, is a great resource for information on military swords.

 

http://ohmura-study.net/105.html

 

The rest of the furnishings do not look like military issue furnishings, so it could be an ensemble that was cobbled together using various parts. The scabbard and hilt are not military, and there are some bits missing from the scabbard - the bits where the bare wood is showing through. The sword itself is mightily scratched up. The fingerprint is a worry. Looks like the sword is missing the "yokote", and the ridge line (shinogi) is worn down. These are problematic when appraising swords, and will detract from the monetary value. 

[Stephen]

The string wrap on the tsuka is often done by GIs in the navy, 

others will show better examples ,,,,the blade has little value do to multiple  ware. 

[Bruce Pennington]

gtodan, first we could use a name so we can actually chat with you!

 

First, Joe is right, you need to push out the little bamboo peg that goes through the handle. That will let you slide the handle off the tang. Many war swords had swordsmith signatures on the tang, and if it's a famous smith, the value of the blade goes up! In fact, some collectors aren't interested in the fittings at all, if the blade is made by a quality smith.

 

So, let's start at the beginning and see what's inside, shall we! When you get it off, take pics with the blade tip pointed up and the tang hanging down. That's the way the writing goes on the tand if there is any. If not, there may be an arsenal stamp or two that is worth knowing about.

[SwordGuyJoe]

Even if no signature a picture of the nakago/tang will be helpful to pinpoint age and possibly more.

[Jean]

Gtodan,

 

Please sign all your posts with a firstname as per the Board rules

[Brian]

Anyone notice the manji on the habaki? That was at one point a very high class habaki.

[SwordGuyJoe]

i did not see that. Agreed. At one point the owner valued that sword enough to invest in a nice habaki. in now more interested in seeing what's under the tsuka.

[Bruce Pennington]

The string wrap on the tsuka is often done by GIs in the navy, 

others will show better examples ,,,,the blade has little value do to multiple  ware.

 

Fuller called this "'whiteline' and 'Belfast'". Says it was done by US seamen and "should be regarded as part of the sword's history and should not be removed in favour of the standard..." fittings.

[Stephen]

i never encourage as well, just nice they did not cover the peg as many have done.

[gtodan]

Thank you all for your valuable information. My first idea as a novice on this Nihonto was as we say in firearms collecting, "bubba'd". The rifle and bayonet accompanying it was in totally different condition. I wondered how did this sword get with this collection of war booty? I have the story about the rifle and bayonet acquisition. I have spent many hours on the WWW researching Nihonto. My search lead me here.

 

I am not sure if the owner will allow me to disassemble it. I do not even know how. I will not attempt it as it an heirloom. I am sure there are YouTube vids. But I really do not want to buy it if I "bubba" it.

 

Dan

[Brian]

You press out the wooden peg from left to right, and the handle comes off. Easy....2 seconds.
Unlike other collectibles, Japanese swords were made to be be taken apart. It is pretty much a requirement if you are going to buy one, and vital.
"Bubba'd" refers to irreparable damage done to firearms in restoring or altering them. Nothing critical was done to this sword, and considering the blade is primary and the mounts in this case of secondary importance...you should easily be able to inspect it properly. Ask the owner for permission, there is very little that can go wrong if you take care.

[cisco-san]

Dan,

 

did you try to disassemble the tsuka?