The John Plimpton Collection: 1st Batch Offered for Sale

mdiddy · November 29, 2021

I want to begin sharing and offering some swords from the John Plimpton collection. My goal will be to list 8 to 10 every other day or so this week and next. It might take a shorter time, it might take longer, but I’m very excited to share these with the forum. The descriptions and pictures I provide may be brief given the volume to work through but I’m happy to answer questions and provide more pictures upon request. Eventually these may all end up on eBay with some nicer photos, but in the interest of time I thought it would be better to get something out to the forum first. All swords offered are included in his book.

Prices posted are usd and negotiable, but all swords are first come, first served with none reserved unless a meaningful deposit is made.

Here are details on the first batch (excerpts from the book attached below, more pictures in each of the dropbox links):

1. High ranking railway official saber – very rare example, possibly the same one photographed in Dawson’s, pristine mounts but the blade has some rust – asking $6,000. Pictures here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ynh5qpupk7uq06k/AABI8LyueQGnKjTEtgm4sfMBa?dl=0

2. North China Railway Shin Gunto – very clean and near mint example, signed blade, adorned with the winged wheel logo on the kabutogane and nakago - $5,500. Pictures here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/47qpobv87rbsr4d/AADtjwMcQQJG5MTFkzPSTcTna?dl=0

3. Ornate parade saber – yes, it’s just a parade saber but it is a one-of-a-kind parade saber with extremely ornate gold decoration on the saya (note the hangers) and the letters ‘F. R.’ engraved in gold on the blade, supposedly done in Spain - $4,500. Pictures here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5eg9dr7wsromrep/AAABpwlQHrlS8z_fqQb_SOiga?dl=0

4. General’s Kyu Gunto – don’t get to see these as often as we like, this one is very clean and pristine with vivid tortoise shell tsuka, all wire wraps present, minty murata-to style blade, and custom decoration on the back strap - $5,500. Pictures here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/n7sxrajk4z1kvyx/AAAa5JLs2GvT8ksRk1QMiNuLa?dl=0

5. Type 25 – earlier type 25 NCO cavalry sword, matching numbers, still has the leather finger loop, what’s not to love? - $1,500. Pictures here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/vcxn8y6yonsyqa3/AADsgR91N26RUmcrkHp43ckNa?dl=0

6. Type 7 Colonial Chosen Police saber – carried by mounted police of the Chosen (Korean) colonial administration. To my knowledge, very rare - $1,500. Pictures here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/4kpjv34sscgnda7/AACJsJQiGU-A7rLdw9mfU1J9a?dl=0

7. Type 36 1903 Police officer saber – early police saber carried by mounted police officers and jailers. To my knowledge, very rare - $1,500. Pictures here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/eob7hx1hvwdfbqm/AACiezwDKpQ7xgqZQB1bM5XXa?dl=0

8. Type 10 1877 Police officer saber – kyu gunto styled, this very early variant was carried by Tokyo police officers who helped quell the Satsuma Rebellion. Referenced also in Fuller & Gregory pg. 187-188. The blade is a mumei nihonto, 25 inch (63cm) blade length with a deeper sori, choji midare hamon, and looks Sue-Bizen to my eye. This is one of my favorites from the collection - $4,500. Pictures here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/6vd0qst5x2ivmsk/AAAimW7_71jNH-JJNDm9zvBaa?dl=0

9. Field Officer Kyu Gunto – has some custom decoration along the backstrap and a nihonto in the mounts. The blade is 27.75 inches (70cm) long, signed Naohiro, and features a Soshu-style suguha/notare hamon in nie deki with deep nioi guchi - $2,500. Pictures here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/3xrpe7ier647n8m/AACXqNFmo34-B8VwPTvSQrgEa?dl=0

10. 16 Court Swords – This is more of just an advert for these and I will do detailed pictures/descriptions for each sword in the coming days, but thought I would share a few summary pictures. There are all kinds including high ranks with tortoise shell handles, Imperial household, etc. If you see one you want let me know. They are not being offered as a batch, but...I guess they could be if you want all of them. Pictures here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/b9k9069263mcj7r/AADZkErZkIM_owMJA71KhZzCa?dl=0

Also, I have a minty Type 95 NCO from the collection listed on eBay here (lower price if you buy direct from me): https://www.ebay.com/itm/373806914507

And a minty field officer grade parade saber from the collection listed on eBay here (lower price if you buy direct from me): https://www.ebay.com/itm/224714350241

Please reach out if interested. Happy to help and thanks for your consideration. I can be reached via PM or at soheiswords@gmail.com.