Leather Covered Sword

[Shamsy]

Just a quick share of a sword I've got.

 

I was going to put this in the island thread, but it's Japanese, so not really appropriate there. It's not a stunner and sadly it's in very poor condition, but I've always had an unusual love of this sword. I got it years ago from a dealer, who in turn got it from an Australian shed. Our climate is not friendly, so it's quite badly corroded and the leather and wood have shrunken while the leather is rock hard. I've tried quite a few leather treatments, but I think it is what it is.

 

The sword had an aluminum habaki which looks to be cast onto the blade. That's a bit unusual. There is also the number 188 stamped on the blade. Because of the shrunken leather, you can see a few details of the saya construction. The pegs, shape, wire wrap reinforcement that's been welded.

 

I REALLY want to see the nakago. I'm not expecting to find a signature, but I'd like to see the shape. However, no way I could get the leather cover off intact and I assume there is a peg.

[BANGBANGSAN]

That Tsuba looks like modified NCO 's

[Dave R]

 Can you get it X-rayed at a local vets or an engineering testing station? You will than get an idea of where the mekugi is, and who knows, possibly even a signature.

 

ps. Thanks for posting this sword, I was trying to remember where I has seen a cast on Habaki before.

[Shamsy]

I'll do a comparison tomorrow, Trystan, but I don't think it's the same.

 

I'm not sure where I'd go in Aus for that, Dave. There is some stigma about any kind of weapons here. I'd probably get arrested unfortunately. I'm not really sure where else to go that I could get an x-ray done.

[Bruce Pennington]

That's an interesting piece, Steve. I wonder why the edge of the habaki is painted?

[george trotter]

FYI...About 30 odd years ago I saw a reasonable quality Type 98 gunto that had an aluminium habaki. It was a "proper" habaki that would slide off as per normal. Only one I've ever seen until now...but different in that yours seems to be cast on.

Just thought I'd mention it...

[Brian]

I have a RJT Gendaito with aluminium habaki. Removable. Appears original.

[SAS]

If the leather cover will not slide off the handle, removing the stitching would allow removal, and could be restitched later.

[Dave R]

That's an interesting piece, Steve. I wonder why the edge of the habaki is painted?

 

 Possibly not paint, but oxide staining!

[Shamsy]

From what I can tell, that's actually a hole in the edge of the habaki. So maybe it is removable? Very hard to tell, I'd always thought it was cast on, but perhaps not?

 

I'm not really keen to remove the stitching, because it is original and the leather is so dry and brittle I'm still not guaranteed that it will remove without cracking or snapping. I'd rather leave it original than satisfy curiosity, though the idea of an x-ray would be great, if I could find somewhere willing to do it to a beat up sword.

 

Thanks for the extra shares regarding aluminum habaki. It's always good to hear about bits like that which confirm that it isn't unique to this sword. If it had been properly preserved the last 60 years or so, it would probably be my favorite sword. There's just something I really like about it, which is hard to define.

[Shamsy]

The tsuba is definitely not a Type 95 one. Different holes and shape, just a superficial resemblance.

[Dave R]

 I am pretty sure that is cast on, I reckon I can see where the metal ran on to the blade.... Possibly unintentionally.

[Brian]

Folks, personally I think there is ZERO chance a habaki is cast onto the blade. It is too complicated, with no benefit. Far easier to make an aluminium habaki.
Really.
What I think we are seeing is someone's attempt to remove the soft aluminium habaki by striking it, and bending it onto the blade. That is a sign of force, not casting.

[Bazza]

It is also possible that the habaki is not cast aluminium, but "white metal" such as is used to cast engine bearings.  It would, I think, have a lower melting point than aluminium???

 

BaZZa.

[vajo]

Hammer it out.

[Dave R]

 I have seen non Japanese blades with cast on guards and bolsters, usually in pewter or other white metal. It is seriously no big deal with low temperature alloys. A bit of a quick and dirty fix when you lack craftsmen who can make proper habaki.... the which is no easy job!

[Shamsy]

I will get some more photos later today of the habaki. I'm not sure whether it was cast on or not, but the part that appears to have run could also be a bent section of the aluminum/white metal, as Brian suggested.

 

No hammering, Chris. I'm Not sure it would come off anyway, as the nakago is no doubt rusty and I can't remove the tsuka without destroying it anyway. I'd rather preserve it as is.