Need Help Identifying Sword and Mounts

[Yoshimichi]

Dear NMB Members: 

 

I need help translating this mei, and identifying these mounts. My best guess is "Bishu Osafune Sukemitsu." It looks Koto, late 1400's- early 1500's. It has a 28" nagasa. Your take?

 

The mounts appear to be Army Cavalry, maybe special ordered to fit this ancestral blade. The guard is brass, but looks like a WWII cavalry steel guard. I am guessing an officer's special order sword mounts. Any help is greatly appreciated.  

 

Regards,

Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi)

[uwe]

It rather looks “…祐定” (Sukesada) to me, Bill!

[Yoshimichi]

Thanks, Uwe. Any feel for the  mountings...Army, Navy?

 

Regards,

Bill E. Sheehan  (Yoshimichi)

[Peter Bleed]

It is a Bizen Osafune Sukesade - and rather ordinary within that category. But the mounts are quite nice, - rather elaborating hand embellished outside of the "standard". Army I'd assume, and I bet everybody would say "Calvary."

Peter

[ROKUJURO]

I bet against it and vote for 'Cavalry'. 

[Yoshimichi]

Thanks Jean and Peter:

 

Jean:  Does it appear Koto or Shinto, and are you feeling it is Gimei, and why?

 

Peter:  Do you think the mounts are special ordered, or Officer Grade? 

 

Regards,

Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi)

[PNSSHOGUN]

Perhaps a early Type 8 Cavalry Kyu Gunto pattern. Due to the custom nature it's difficult to tell what officer grade it belongs too, the Type 8 could be worn by all ranks who rode horses.

[Yoshimichi]

Thanks, John. Helpful information. I'll look up the Type 8.

 

Regards,

Bill E Sheehan

[lonely panet]

TYPE 8'S TYPICALLY DONT HAVE DECORATED BACK END OF POMMELS

 

A TYPE 19 CAV WITH DIY KNUCKLE GUARD OR MANYBE A THE GUARD OFF A TYPE 25 MADE TO FIT?? MHO

[ROKUJURO]

16 hours ago, Yoshimichi said:

....Jean:  Does it appear Koto or Shinto, and are you feeling it is Gimei, and why?....

Bill,

the NAKAGO looks absolutely KOTO to me. I am not able to make a comment on the blade as the photos are not sufficient. Concerning the MEI, there are so many SUKESADA that you have to compare with some authenticated ones to form an opinion, and I have no books on swords. On the other side, if a blade is really well made (which you will only see after restoration), I would not bother unless you plan to have it passed through SHINSA. 

[uwe]

Do you have a picture of the full inscription from the other side of the nakago?

[Yoshimichi]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I'll try to load up a picture of the full tang on the other side of the nakago. Thanks again for helping.

 

Regards,

Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi)

[Yoshimichi]

Here are two pictures of the kanji on the opposite side of the nakago.  Any help is appreciated.

 

Regards,

Bill E. Sheehan (Yoshimichi)