1873 naval sword drawing

[Alban L]

I really would love to own a 1873 naval sword, unfortunately these swords are very scarce now !

At least, here is from french national library an imperial Japanese navy uniforms books dated 1873, showing several drawings of officers and petty officers swords, as well as what seems to be naval infantry swords. Not the most precise drawing, but major interest is the early date of this book !

https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b105056001/f66.item.r=marine japonaise uniformes

 

Bibliothèque Nationale de France / French National Library

[ChrisW]

Honestly, they're not THAT scarce. They pop up here from time to time, and you see them on warrelics. You can probably find at least one on eBay right now too if you're feeling risky. Is there a specific sub-model you're looking for though?

[Alban L]

Hi Chris,

 

I would be suprised to find one on ebay, I am not mentioning here the 1883 sword, which is very common, but the 1873 sword, the one illustrated just above and also on Richard Fuller and Ron Gregory book cover. It is very close to US Navy 1852 sword, and really scarce now as I seem to remember Japanese navy only had around 5000 men at that time, logically few officers among them.

 

Also, every page of this document is translated in french. Please feel free to ask for any translation about swords, belts or anything else.

[zuiho]

Hello, 

  I can contribute a photo of an M1873 naval petty officers sword.

It is just under 32” long end to end. 

 

[lonely panet]

i have in parts a transitional 1873 to 83 sword for petty officers and it was very simular to my once owned and published admirals flagsword which both didnt fit in either groups. they were both Japanese made and were closer to the completed 1883 models 

[Alban L]

10 hours ago, zuiho said:

Hello, 

  I can contribute a photo of an M1873 naval petty officers sword.

It is just under 32” long end to end. 

 

 

Hello William,

 

Thank you for sharing this photo, this is a beautiful sword. Scabbard fittings seems to be a mix of officer (cherry blossoms) and petty officer (knot pattern). Can you see if the rayskin of the hilt was originally white or grayish ?

That would be very nice to see the hilt and blade, 1873 sword had most often a very original one, european influenced with only one central.

 

Thanks agains

Alban

[Alban L]

8 hours ago, lonely panet said:

i have in parts a transitional 1873 to 83 sword for petty officers and it was very simular to my once owned and published admirals flagsword which both didnt fit in either groups. they were both Japanese made and were closer to the completed 1883 models 

 

I have seen once this kind of transition sword, I would love to see this one !

 

Alban