Several Blades from a Friend's Estate

[MichaelZWilliamson]

A friend of mine with an extensive collection of militaria, much of it WWI and WWII, has passed away.  I agreed to help the family identify and find homes for his collection, that they didn't even know existed. For years I've been helping him sell sabers, bayonets, uniforms, etc.

 

I have photos of several swords that vary from wartime stampings to a handful that are more interesting, though I doubt any are significantly valuable.  I'll post one at a time so there's time for clear discussion.  I also have two for the main forum, as those do appear to be traditional, though recent.

[SteveM]

Need a better shot of the nakago to properly read it, but my guess is 濃州関住服部正廣作 (Nōshū Seki jū Hattori Masahiro saku). 

That sword in those fittings should be worth north of $2000. 

 

 

[MichaelZWilliamson]

I will try to chalk and photo tomorrow.

A large part of his collection was loaned to the Fort Benjamin Harrison Museum for several years. His firearm and saber collection is amazing. He had books and magazines, uniforms and insignia, and these were in a cabinet stuffed in the basement.  I'm glad they're in as good a condition as they are.  His family was afraid they'd have to sell the house to settle the estate.  I'm glad I could both bring them some good news, and preserve a fine collection for people who appreciate them.

[MichaelZWilliamson]

Any information about the maker, age, etc, appreciated.  I'm collating it all with the museum provenance (Where it exists) and what he told me about any of the items before he died.  One set of German armor quarterly magazines went to an historian because it references "Leutnant Rommel and his innovative strategies with tanks" in 1934.

[Kolekt-To]

That's a nice Kai Gunto! It shouldn't take long to sell.

[SteveM]

Age is late 1930s to 1945. Maker...let's wait to be sure who the maker is before we dive into the details (but you should be able to find some info in English on the internet regarding Hattori Masahiro). We can be fairly sure of the age because of the distinct chippy style of marking the tang. No need for chalk as the name looks to be inscribed well/deep enough. Also, there may be a date inscribed on the opposite side. 

[MichaelZWilliamson]

This was only inscribed on one side. Some of the others are both sides. And there's an 1889 pattern that was rehilted twice from something longer.

[MichaelZWilliamson]

I'd like to keep it. But my budget is not unlimited, and my wife just bought a Charles Lancaster shotgun for her collection, and I'm keeping the artillery Luger from this one.  So I'll have to be selective about which I can afford to pay them for in a reasonable time, vs helping them sell for the income they need.

[paul griff]

Michael,your wife has impeccable taste...Charles Lancaster...very nice....Luger artillery also nice...

Regards,

               Paul.

[MichaelZWilliamson]

She got me into classic doubles. 1858 Charles Lancaster, one of the first cartridge shotguns. She has Dreyse, Lefaucheux, others.  I have WC Scott and Westley Richards.  It's about as expensive as collecting swords.

[paul griff]

Some very nice items.....keeps the mind active and the wallet empty..

Regards,

               Paul..

[MichaelZWilliamson]

There's a limit on picture bandwidth, which I understand. Queried Brian about bypassing that so I can post more.  Are there any other options?  I can always save to my site and post as image links.

[SteveM]

That would work. Some people post to Imgur and post a link here. 

[Brian]

The limits wouldn't affect uploading unless you are trying to upload 20 files at a time or huge file sizes.
Decent images...you should easily be able to cove every aspect of a sword.

[MichaelZWilliamson]

 

 

Ran short of time with the photographer and don't have more pics, but I can get some. This one is interesting to me. I've always liked the lines of the kyu gunto.

[MichaelZWilliamson]

  On 7/22/2021 at 6:49 AM, Brian said:

The limits wouldn't affect uploading unless you are trying to upload 20 files at a time or huge file sizes.
Decent images...you should easily be able to cove every aspect of a sword.

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They were big enough I'm now limited to 4.88 MB. They were pretty big files.

[dwmc]

  On 7/22/2021 at 2:49 PM, MichaelZWilliamson said:

 

 

Ran short of time with the photographer and don't have more pics, but I can get some. This one is interesting to me. I've always liked the lines of the kyu gunto.

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The sword appears to possibly be one of the Sadamune sword smiths. If so, he may be one of the Sadamune smiths listed below in Mister Robert Cole's recently published guide " Sho-shin  Index of Swordsmiths & Price Guide."

 

 

 

Dave M.

[Bruce Pennington]

Nice kyu tend to run around $1,400 USD and this is a nice one!

[lonely panet]

  On 7/22/2021 at 11:45 PM, dwmc said:

 

The sword appears to possibly be one of the Sadamune sword smiths. If so, he may be one of the Sadamune smiths listed below in Mister Robert Cole's recently published guide " Sho-shin  Index of Swordsmiths & Price Guide."

 

 

 

Dave M.

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A mei thats o suriage, is suspect at best i this arrangement 

[dwmc]

  On 7/23/2021 at 2:27 PM, lonely panet said:

A mei thats o suriage, is suspect at best i this arrangement 

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Your thinking Gimei due to o suriage nakago Hamfish ? Could very well be the case... highly likely !

 

Dave M.

[ChrisAWilson]

Where are you selling the swords at? Just locally or another web site as I haven't seen any here.

Chris

[MichaelZWilliamson]

Eventually at the big gun show here, Pennsic, DragonCon, my website, and via fora of interested buyers.  The good ones I prefer to keep off eBay.  As they get identified I'm open to offers.  I'm far more experienced with European blades.

[lonely panet]

well after picking our brains for help, i would think they would sell well here on the nmb??

[MichaelZWilliamson]

Definitely anyone here has first dibs, and discounted or free shipping.

[Bruce Pennington]

I think he means on the For Sale or Trade Forum here.

[MichaelZWilliamson]

I'll be happy to post stuff there as it's identified and either gets offers or valuation.  Of the 14, six interest me, but I can probably only justify two. The others are for sale, payable to his estate.

[Kolekt-To]

  On 7/24/2021 at 4:41 AM, MichaelZWilliamson said:

I'll be happy to post stuff there as it's identified and either gets offers or valuation.  Of the 14, six interest me, but I can probably only justify two. The others are for sale, payable to his estate.

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Keep them coming Michael! You'll get plenty of prospective buyers here, I'm sure. Plus, the people here are genuinely interested in these swords, will appreciate them, and the swords will be well maintained.

[MichaelZWilliamson]

Yes, that was one of my considerations when I was trying to reach his niece and the attorney. There's some amazing stuff that needs to be with collectors or museums, not in dumpsters or with bundled lots at an auction.