Just another Island Sword

[Shamsy]

I posted this sword in the numbered habaki thread. Then I got curious and took it apart for a further look. Rather than hijack that thread, I thought I'd share the findings here.

 

I'd say most likely a generic 'island sword' (the term we use for 'not sure who/when/where it was made, but showing genuine signs of age'). It could also be a repaired blade, though as you will see, the 'repair' is hardly fitting of the name.

 

The fittings aren't bad. The habaki is on par with Japanese habaki. The other fittings are okay.

 

From my own amateur observations, the blade itself appears to be reasonably well made, has a proper looking kissaki and ihori-mune. The ha-machi and mune-machi do not align, as the habaki has an inset for the mune-machi.

 

There are a few file marks on the first few inches of the nakago, a number 21 stamped (matching habaki) then it becomes... well, you can see. Looks like it was mashed with a hammer... badly.

 

All comments welcome, all opinions valid, please view photos carefully. Island sword, jeep spring, fake, repaired blade?

[Shamsy]

[Bruce Pennington]

Steve,

Is the tsuka style inline with known late-war variants of the Type 95 (I don't follow those, so forgive the ignorant question)?

[Shamsy]

18 minutes ago, Bruce Pennington said:

Steve,

Is the tsuka style inline with known late-war variants of the Type 95 (I don't follow those, so forgive the ignorant question)?

 

Other than the carved ring style, not similar. For 95s, there is a small loop of metal, an inch or so of uncarved wood, then the grooves for the ring carvings start, typically 12 rings (by my count). This sword lacks the initial inch of uncarved, straight wood and has 14 rings carved.

[Bruce Pennington]

4 hours ago, Shamsy said:

not similar

Great photo, Steve, thanks!  Actually, it does look like they tried to emulate the Type 95.  Whether a re-build from damage, or built from the ground up, it looks like Occupied Lands work.

[Shamsy]

It certainly shares some characteristics, Bruce. I believe one of the 95s Stegel has with a vulcanised rubber saya and a bakerlite handle has a similar kabuto-gane. I don't think it is a 95 though. What exactly it is I don't know, so I'd label as an 'Island sword'. I put it up for discussion to see what people thought since there are usually good discussions to be had and it's good to share these off swords.

[Dave R]

 I think it's a hastily repurposed genuine blade, and has de-laminated at the very end of the tang.

[Shamsy]

12 minutes ago, Dave R said:

 I think it's a hastily repurposed genuine blade, and has de-laminated at the very end of the tang.

 

I didn't want to be the first to say it as though I was defending the sword, but I agree, Dave. It's hard to see, but the first few inches of the nakago are fine, then there's a bunch of impact marks from a hammer where it goes wonky and at the end, you can actually see the layers of steel peeling.

 

My thought was a damaged blade being reused.

[Kiipu]

13 hours ago, Shamsy said:

I believe one of the 95s Stegel has with a vulcanised rubber saya and a bakerlite handle has a similar kabuto-gane.

 

I just recently tracked that sword down and here is a link to it.

RAREST Unknown type pattern of the late war 1944 Japanese NCO Sword

 

My initial thoughts when seeing the "Island Sword" was that it fell into the late war category as per the link below.  Was the sword acquired in Australia or from some other country?

last ditch naval rinji?

[Shamsy]

I had pictures saved but couldn't find them, thanks for the link, Thomas. The kabuto-gane is very similar to my eye.

 

The sword is from the US and according to the dealer, was sold by the veterans son, who also had a wakizashi (that wasn't purchased).