WW2 Japanese Katana. Please help identify. Is it real?

[AngryBaconGod]

Hello All.

 

Thanks for letting me join. Looking for a little help to identify a Japanese katana.

 

The limited info that I have is that this was obtained by a US Army Lieutenant who served as an artillery officer in the Pacific Theatre from 12/41 through 8/45. 

 

I am working on obtaining additional info but this is all I have at the time. Would appreciate any information

 

Thank You.

[AngryBaconGod]

[AngryBaconGod]

[robinalexander]

Welcome Roger, (AngryBaconGod that has a ring to it )

 

Other members will chime in on your question but to save time, could you remove the handle (tsuka) by removing the wooden 'pin' (mekugi) and exposing the end of the blade(tang) that is now under the tsuka. It may, or may not , have kanji on it but In any event could you take and post clear pictures of both sides of the tang.

 

Rob

 

 

[vajo]

Its a real sword. I like the fittings. The leather of the saya has gone. When you remove the handle we could see more.

[AngryBaconGod]

Thanks for the replies. I removed the handle as per several YouTube videos. Unfortunately, it is quite rusty underneath. Does this help determine the age/origin?

 

 

[AngryBaconGod]

[ChrisW]

Very likely an older blade due to it having three mekugi-ana but with all the rust, its very hard to tell just how old. How long is the cutting edge?

[Lareon]

can you see the remnants of any signature in kanji on the rusted tang, it might be very hard to see in that condition. 

As Chris says, the fact it has three mekugi-ana most likely means it's been refitted at least once into new fititngs so is most likely an older blade. 

I like the sword in general, it's one I'd pick up myself.  

The Tsuka (handle) looks long as does the blade. 

 

Nice Sword

[Bruce Pennington]

No one has mentioned - the tassel is a Company grade tassel, Lt - Capt.  The saya (scabbard) is civil, but has the haikan (belt ring) and remnants of the leather cover that the Army put on civil swords when brought into service. 

[Dave R]

Personal take on this, an older blade remounted in Showa era civil mounts (Saya has cross hatching in the Kurikata slot which I have not seen on older damaged saya) then taken to war.

 The tosogu could be any age from late Edo to Showa. Replacing the organic parts is fairly common especially on a sword intended for use either for cutting or Iaido.

 

 

[Ooitame]

Is it just me or in the last pick of the Nakago I see 67?3 ?

[Bruce Pennington]

  On 11/18/2021 at 2:26 PM, Ooitame said:

I see 67?3

Expand  

Ha!  We're getting Eric hooked on tracking/finding number-stamped blades!  Love it!

 

I see what you're seeing.  The only way to find out is if we could get Roger to knock off that active rust (which needs to be done anyway!) with a deer antler. 

 

So far, the only blades I've seen with numbers stamped that high on the nakago are Navy blades.  This could have been a navy blade, now heavily rusted, re-mounted in civil fittings.  The rust does look new, not much of the old dark patina there.  But the middle hole looks older, and Dave's eyes for older blades are much more experienced than mine. 

 

Maybe Roger will enlighten us soon with a better view!

[Lareon]

  On 11/18/2021 at 3:46 PM, Bruce Pennington said:

Ha!  We're getting Eric hooked on tracking/finding number-stamped blades!  Love it!

 

I see what you're seeing.  The only way to find out is if we could get Roger to knock off that active rust (which needs to be done anyway!) with a deer antler. 

 

So far, the only blades I've seen with numbers stamped that high on the nakago are Navy blades.  This could have been a navy blade, now heavily rusted, re-mounted in civil fittings.  The rust does look new, not much of the old dark patina there.  But the middle hole looks older, and Dave's eyes for older blades are much more experienced than mine. 

 

Maybe Roger will enlighten us soon with a better view!

Expand  

Every gunto I see I'm checking for numbers to report back to you Bruce haha