Please help me solve a sword mystery

[leatherneck-1975]

I'm an author and a former Marine, and I'm trying to help a World War II veteran, in locating a Japanese sword. The veteran is named Claude Starkey. During World War II, he was a US Marine in the 1st Parachute Battalion. On 29 Nov 1943, he was in a battle on Bougainville. He killed a Japanese officer but was simultaneously shot in the hand.

 

He was evacuated and his buddies gave him the dead officer's sword. Mr Starkey's hand was amputated and while he was recuperating in the Naval Hospital at Mare Island, the actor Cary Grant toured the hospital and signed his name to some surgical tape which was wrapped around either the sword itself or the scabbard. He signed it: "Good Luck Starkey, Cary Grant."

 

Mr Starkey kept the sword for 40+ years but finally sold it to a sporting goods store in the mid-late 1980's, possibly 1986-1987. That business was located on Palm Drive in Cathedral City, California. Later, I came into contact with him while doing research for a book that I was writing about that battle. He then became interested in trying to find the sword, to get it back.

 

He found that a collector of Japanese swords had purchased it from the sporting goods store, which is no longer in business. The person who bought it, apparently lived somewhere in California but the exact town isn't known, nor is the person's name known...other than it was a Japanese name.

 

If anyone could help in solving the mystery of where the sword ended up, Mr Starkey and I would be very grateful. I think the part of the story about Cary Grant signing it, should help in describing it. Thanks very much.

 

Ken Haney

Jackson, Tennessee

[Brian]

Ken,

Good luck with this research. In that time, I think the sword may have changed hands multiple times, and could be anywhere in the world. Many of the older collectors are not online and many large collections are somewhat shut off from the rest of the world. However it is worth pursuing, and perhaps someone can offer some leads that would get you closer.

Bearing in mind the location of the sale, I would also suggest contacting the Northern California Japanese Sword Club at http://www.ncjsc.org

They have a large membership base, and have a newsletter that goes out. Best option in my opinion.

Good luck, and please keep us updated.

 

Regards,

Brian