Request for authentication & translation

[Peter Birmingham]

Hello:  I bought this katana advertised as a hand-made WW2 era naval officer's sword on E-bay and would like to know more about it and perhaps authenticate it.

 

1. What is the translation of the mei (signature) on the nakago (tang)?

2. The tsuba (guard) and two seppa (washers) are marked "12".  What does that mean?

3. Does this look like a machine-made or hand-made blade?

4. Was this scabbard type wood with lacquer on the outside, or is the outer layer typically plastic?  

 

The blade does react strongly to magnets.

 

Thank you for your help.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[SteveM]

Mei is

肥前國住保廣

Hizen-kuni jū Yasuhiro

Yasuhiro is a wartime smith. The numbers on the parts are likely to be assembly numbers. Wait for the military lads to come on line to give you more info. 

[Bazza]

At first blush it looks like a good Hizen Gendaito??

 

BaZZa.

[Bruce Pennington]

Yes, the shop doing the fittings for the blade mark them with a number to keep them together as each blade is different in size and shape and the fittings are customized to each blade.

 

The saya is lacquered.  The painted wood under your handle wrap indicates this was fitted very late in the war.

 

And I agree with Barry that this looks traditionally made to me, but I'm nowhere near knowledgeable about nihonto.  Those guys will have to advise on that.

[Surfson]

A hada appears to be clearly visible, leading to the belief that it is hand forged.  

[Peter Birmingham]

Thanks to all of you that responded; very helpful!   Do any of you know a tsukamaki service provider in the Chicago area?  I don't want to mail any part of the sword if I can avoid it; I'd rather drop off the tsuka.  I'd consider a new handle or just a new wrapping.

 

Thanks and happy holidays!

[ROKUJURO]

Peter,

I can see no reason for a new TSUKAMAKI unless there is severe damage to it. The condition of the TSUKA and its used appearance is part of its history and considered as patina. This may be different with swords that are in actual use (TAMESHI TO or alike). 
As your sword probably has an old (or at least traditionally made) blade, you could envision a complete new KOSHIRAE as soon as the blade has been evaluated and polished.

[Mark S.]

11 hours ago, Peter Birmingham said:

 

Do any of you know a tsukamaki service provider in the Chicago area? 

 

 

Peter,

Not sure if you are aware, but there is usually a Chicago Sword Show each year near the end of April (next to Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg).  It's a good time to have items looked at, get advice and questions answered, check out people who do restoration work, and see LOTS of other blades.  Of course last year's show was cancelled due to COVID.  Maintaining good thoughts for a possible show this year.

Mark

[Peter Birmingham]

Thank you, yes I saw the show about a decade ago and enjoyed it very much.  Perhaps the sponsors will push it back to the last half of the year so more people will be immunized and can go.