Help on the value of a damaged Katana

[Kyle68]

Hello all! I was told that this katana was made by Kawachi No Kami Kunisuke in 1675. It was brought back during WW2 and it is unknown if the damage occurred before or during WW2. Thinking of restoring it. But what does the damage do to the value? What is the value in its current condition? What about the collectibility? 

[PNSSHOGUN]

Hi Kyle, welcome to the forum. The damage looks to be from a bullet impact and unfortunately renders the blade unrestorable. You could perhaps have the handle rewrapped and keep it as a family heirloom.

[Kyle68]

Thank you! I have someone interested in buying it. What is a fair price or what is the price to a collector? What would you ask for it or pay for it? What should I ask? 

[PNSSHOGUN]

It is more in the realm of a relic, perhaps a few hundred dollars.

[Kyle68]

Ah. So it wouldn’t appeal to a serious collector? Even with its age? Thank you for your time and your knowledge! 

[Bugyotsuji]

Nothing is absolute here, though. To the right person this package could be worth more than a few hundred dollars. You have a blade to study if you want to learn about Kunisuke and/or Shintō blades in general, and in another collecting field you have a piece of WWII memorabilia with the romantic notion of bullet damage. Plenty of plus factors! 
A future owner might even consider reshaping this katana into a wakizashi, for example. How long is it?

Interesting puzzle, thanks for posting.

[Bazza]

Kyle, how about a closeup photo of the signature, please??  If its a shodai Kunisuke has anyone ever thought of a KINTSUGI process for restoring a good sword as a study piece.  One would have to sink $$$$$ but we sword ffolke are nutty enthusiasts...

 

BaZZa.

[Brian]

Unfortunately the value to a Nihonto collector is negligible. It's dead as a sword, fatal flaw. May have some value to militaria collectors, I would guess a few hundred.

[DoTanuki yokai]

I think it would nice display with the Fuji and moon in the Hamon. 
The condition of the polish looks not that bad and maybe it could also be a cheaper study piece if the price is correct. (Not sure how the condition of the polish really is) 
 

I would say the damage is from hitting something hard. The Saya has no hole what makes it more unlikely for me to be hit by a bullet. 
It is Ubu and signed so there is maybe no need for NBTHK papers anyway.

[Kyle68]

I was wondering about the damage to the blade. Could it have been damaged before the war, and still taken to battle? Is it consistent with hitting another sword or a bullet? Any thoughts on that? I always thought it was from a bullet…

[Scogg]

Could we see some closeups of the damage? 
 

Very doubtful someone would carry a sword with this kind of damage into WW2. I imagine it will be near impossible to tell where the damage came from, whether it’s wartime or afterwards. 
 

Maybe a Japanese soldier whacked into a rifle barrel. Maybe a kid in the 90s tried to cut a tree down, or slice a metal bar in half
 

Fun to imagine the cause nonetheless. I would try to ask some militaria/WW2 collectors their thoughts on price 

 

Best of luck, 
Cheers,

-Sam 

 

[Stephen]

If in fact a bullet strike, It doesn't have to be in saya to happen, It has value to military collectors. 

As requested. More close up's please. 

[1kinko]

If there’s no indication of a bullet strike on the saya, what is that thick stuff doing at the kojira end?

[PNSSHOGUN]

There are plenty of cases where a sword was hit by bullets/shrapnel while outside the Saya.

[Kyle68]

Here is an enlarged pic of it. What do you guys think? 

[Bugyotsuji]

The abrasive sanding has ruined it… 

[Kyle68]

Yeah that was not from me. I just wondered about the damage. Trying to figure out more of the story of this sword 

[Alex A]

Reminds me of that ww2 cutting through a machine gun barrel tale.

 

Ps, difficult to price.

 

Could see this being really appealing to some folks, like $700 appealing.

 

Sometimes surprising what stuff goes for, put it on Ebay and see,  $300 reserve.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Ouch, looks more like a shrapnel hit. Firmly in relic status in terms of Nihonto.

[almeister]

Like Brian said  ...

Basically too far gone

Pay to shorten..dunno bout that - $ ! 

Keep as is  maybe... and 

"Then make up your own "classic story  " as to how it happened "

Be a good yarn while having a beer 

[Brian]

Can't really shorten it, as this would have to happen from the front, which loses the boshi and renders it fatally flawed.
It is, as mentioned, a relic. Someone will want it as a display piece, but any value as a sword is gone. Agree, looks like shrapnel rather than a bullet strike.
Pity, but it is what it is.

[Stephen]

Really hard to tell what caused the damage not that I'd suggest remove the wrap on saya if removed and no hole you'd have removed more value as war relic. 

May we see the tsuba up close it may add more value.

[waljamada]

A Fuji and moon hamon is a cool feature.  Always wanted one of those and does add to the package for sure.  For sure a relic/war display type piece category.

[Baba Yaga]

Someone will buy it for $300 and be asking if they paid to much. This vicious cycle could last decades. 

[Kyle68]

So maybe 300-400 is a fair selling price? I just have no idea what to ask for or. Not wanting to rip anyone off. Just wanting to be fair 

[Stephen]

Ask 500 go from there.

I know if on my table I'd ask $800

 as war curio.

[Bruce Pennington]

Yes, as the seller, always start higher than you expect to get, knowing that the prospective buyers are going to come in low - then you meet in the middle.

[robinalexander]

500 +

 

The 'fuji/moon harmony puts it in a higher category for me ( pity about the ito)

 

 

 

[Bugyotsuji]

Just paid that amount for a new tsukamaki on a wakizashi.

[Stephen]

You have to remember the fittings have value

Just a WAG

Tsuba 200

F/K 100

Menuki 200 if other one is still on the tsuka.

 

Personally I'd save if for future family to pass it down

Have the ito rewrapped

The $$ you get will be gone faster than the memories of the sword.