14Th Century Sword?

[pt1093]

   I am looking for a reputable appraiser in New York state to evaluate my recent purchase, if any one can steer me in the right direction I would appreciate it.  This was listed at auction as a 14th century sword.  I am not experienced enough yet to determine this.  At first glance I do not see any visible kanji, but under the correct lighting I see what appear to be the remains of chisel marks on the outside of the tang if worn with edge down on left hip.  I do not discern any chisel marks on the opposite side.

 

Paul T.

[SAS]

My impression is not older than later 1500s, but I am not a kantei expert. Need better photos of the blade to see hada, and hamon activity.

[Ken-Hawaii]

Paul, please post photos showing the whole blade, completely bare, on both sides. The sugata (blade shape) will tell us approximately when it was made. If it appears to be Koto, then I suggest shipping the blade to Bob Benson, here in Hawaii, for the appraisal.

[nagamaki - Franco]

Hello Paul,

 

FYI, http://www.ny-tokenkai.org/ , you might try contacting this group for additional information.

 

 

As far as opinions go, I have a difficult time believing this is a 14 century nihonto based upon these images alone. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Alex A]

Hello Paul.

 

Its very difficult to judge from the info available, plenty of info available online.

 

Bare in mind your blade appears to be once longer and it looks to have a decent amount of curve.

 

Im sort of leaning toward early Muromachi, 

 

Maybe this may help you. http://www.yamakawadojo.com/The%20Japanese%20Sword%20Historical%20Changes%20in%20Shape.pdf

[Curran]

Hello Paul,

 

FYI, http://www.ny-tokenkai.org/ , you might try contacting this group for additional information.

 

 

 

+1.

I was part of this group for a decade or so. If in NYC or the NYC West (Jersey Commuter), this is the best resource.

Who attends any given meeting can be a bit random, so the focus might be fittings one month and swords the next. There are a few gents in the mix who will be the best opinion on the sword that you will get outside of sending it to someone like Benson.

     Just keep the sword in a bag or kendo bag while walking around NYC. The meetings were previously held near Times Square, where police presence is elevated.

[Pete Klein]

You might consider shinsa but it will have fees involved:  https://nihontoantiques.com/nthk-shinsa-2019/

 

It is at the beginning of March.

 

The NYTK meeting was last Sunday so you should write them via their web site to see when/where the next will be.  

[pt1093]

Thanks all.  Some additional info and photos.  Nagasa 25.25",  sori .750" , both taken to original munamachi marked with mini-sword in photos.  Yes, by the way the hamon washes of the kissaki I would guess this was originally around 26" nagasa.  What I find peculiar is the tang has a slight reverse radius or bend.

 

Paul

[kissakai]

Kick back strange

Has the tang ben nodified?

[pt1093]

Grev,

  It looks homogenous, just more heavily rusted in the center of the tang bow.

[SAS]

Modified for saber handle perhaps?

[Hoshi]

Hi Paul,

 

We need to see the tip (kissaki) and the hamon. For this you must use a directional light in a dark room and cast it on the blade, take fifteen pictures or so of different segments and different lighting angles. 

 

The goal is to : 1. see the hardening line's shape 2. see the tip of the blade and 3. see the grain in the steel

 

Otherwise it's not possible to say more than what has been said already. 

[pt1093]

Chris,

   Easier said than done, as this blade has been abused by abrasives.  But here are some better photos.  

[TheGermanBastard]

Koto blade. Possibly pre Muromachi... but could be tiered.

[Hoshi]

Hi Paul

 

We're getting there with the photos. I don't think we'll be able to see the tip properly, unfortunately. As for the pattern on the steel, I think we do see some of it in DSC_3934. See if you can make a few more like this. Try and do a few pictures with the directional light bouncing off at an angle from the hamon. 

 

Overall it's hard to see because of the abrasive abuse, but I think this blade deserves a good examination since it has potential in my view. I'm reluctant to throw out a period right now, but I'm not ruling out Koto. However 12th century is ruled out. If you're lucky, this blade may be 13th-15th and have some value. It could also be some few hundred years later and near worthless. 

 

Good luck

[pt1093]

Chris,

   Here are a couple better kissaki shots.  I have attributed to late Kamakura after review, but this is probably wishful thinking.