Unidentifiable type 19

[Bridges]

Hi all,

 

I posted this in the mon section but never received a response. I also posted in a Reddit community and nothing. I’ve hit dead ends on Google as well. This is a type 19 with a star in place of the mon. Is it Manchurian? Another odd thing is that this piece is on eBay and has 18 watchers. This is an absolute anomaly for any type 19 with a mon on eBay. Something is special about this type and I can’t put my finger on it…HOWEVER, the saya is a red flag as it looks brand new while the condition of the sword checks out yet, if you carefully view the hilt. There is a red sheen or lacquer that is present in trace amounts. I have never seen this on any type 19. The presence of where the leather Seppa was can vaguely be seen but something is different 

[vajo]

Repatinated?

[Bridges]

@vajopossibly? I’ve heard rumors of Chinese sayas of polished tin and this saya has me wondering if this is one of those examples. I also still can’t get around the star that is definitely not a kamon. With this being a basic type 19 (no lieutenant/general decorated backstrap) and all these factors has me scratching my head.

[Bruce Pennington]

Could it be a moon on top of the sun? Religious and nature?

[Bridges]

@Bruce Penningtonthat didn’t even occur to me!

[Bruce Pennington]

The red looks like it's all part of a lacquer job.  I don't think this is urushi, but it's definitely been coated with something.  There's a brief thread I started on urushi on gunto HERE.

[lonely panet]

varnish,  and the only reason i posting is for respect for Bruce

[Bridges]

Great read Bruce, I wasn’t aware urushi was practiced historically, thanks!

[Bruce Pennington]

  On 2/19/2023 at 5:26 AM, lonely panet said:

varnish

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Any thoughts as to wartime or modern?

[lonely panet]

modern, often applied after the war by westerners as a perservative agent. especially in tropical areas

[Bridges]

Update! I won the bid at 137 USD! I was right about the saya, it is aftermarket and does not fit the length of the blade. If anyone has resources for type 19 saya let me know!