Sword Identification

[aabderson]

Hello all, I was wondering if anyone could give me some information about this sword. Specifically, how old it is and how much it may be worth! I believe it is from ww2. Thanks!

[Rivkin]

Need closeup of activities, boshi etc. As of now does not look like something too recent, can be shinto, can be a bit older, but its a wild guess just based on patina's appearance.

[Geraint]

Dear Alex.

 

Whatever date for the blade we end up with the saya is quite a nice one and this is an example of an older sword that has been converted for use in WWII by the addition of a hanger to the saya.

It's quite an attractive sword so Rule 1, don't attempt to clean anything!  Doing so will drastically reduce the value.  Hold on for some more comments here and perhaps add a photograph of the whole blade with the habaki removed.

 

Looking forward to what others have to say about this one.

 

All the best.

[aabderson]

@Bruce Pennington do you have any thoughts? 

[Bruce Pennington]

Very nice silver-wrapped habaki!  And the tsuba is signed.  Should post a clear shot of that for translation.

 

Otherwise, I'm really not the guy to comment on the blade, if it's older than WWII.  @PNSSHOGUN or @vajo or @BANGBANGSAN might have a thought as to whether it is zoheito.

 

Best to give the nihonto guys the shots they need - full-length over head of naked blade; close-ups of a couple areas showing hamon and skin texture; closeup of kassaki (blade tip).  If it's old, they can tell you.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Certainly an older blade, could be something intriguing from the general shape.

[aabderson]

Thank you @Bruce Pennington and everyone! It’s a blade I’m thinking of buying. These are the only pictures I have at the moment but trying to get more. Just trying to get information to help me  decide on the age and price….any idea on a value based on age and condition?

[Brian]

I won't get into value, but it's a nice looking sword, the type that may have potential. Get a guarantee against fatal flaws.

[Kmad]

Hi Alex.

What price is the seller proposing, that will help determine if worth pursuing.

Some sellers have inflated opinion of what they have and expect a large payment, I have been offered somewhat similar at a price of 3,000 euro and another at a price of 175 euro. (I bought one of these only) 

If you don't ask price you will never know, I dislike having to make offer first as you cant be a seller and a buyer. Some times you have to when doing so it is hard not to be cheap so pitch at what you ant to pay and see how the dealing goes.

Best of luck 

Ken 

[ROKUJURO]

Alex,

the age does not affect the value very much, but quality and condition does. 
If you have better and detailed photos, please show them always tip-upwards, especially the tang. The same applies to the TSUBA.

[aabderson]

The seller is asking for $1300 US. Is that fair? If not, then what is a fair price? 

[Bruce Pennington]

I'd say it is in the 'normal' range.  It will cost you $300 to get the tsuka re-wrapped.  Tell him that and offer $1,000.

[BANGBANGSAN]

8 hours ago, Bruce Pennington said:

 

 

Otherwise, I'm really not the guy to comment on the blade, if it's older than WWII.  @PNSSHOGUN or @vajo or @BANGBANGSAN might have a thought as to whether it is zoheito.

 

 

It doesn't look like it's a Zoheito, it looks more like a Koto.

[Brian]

Older than WW2, price isn't terrible, but we have limited pics.

[aabderson]

Thanks guys! I’m working on getting more photos for you!! I appreciate your time! 

[vajo]

Hard to say from the pictures. Could be late muromachi or shinto. Could we get close up pictures of the boshi and the blade? 

[aabderson]

here are a few more pics if it helps! Still working to get more

[aabderson]

more pictures

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[aabderson]

[aabderson]

Seller says the Tsuba is signed by Kunikane. Is that correct? Is he well known?

[Ed Harbulak]

The tsuba is signed Kuni Hiro. I'm not a tusba collector, but the signature in this case doesn't impress me but others may give you a better answer.  

[aabderson]

Thank you! Any thoughts from anyone else? Just wondering how old the sword could be and what is a good price for it. He is asking $1300. is that a good price? I know im going to have to have it re-wrapped. does it need to be polished?

[vajo]

 

 

 

 

Its a nice shinto katana my guess.

[aabderson]

Thank you! @BANGBANGSAN@PNSSHOGUN what do you guys think of the new pics? You think it’s Shinto or Koto? Any other info you can give me on a value of what I should pay? 

[Ron M]

Just fyi, I actually purchased this sword then sent it back (I can show you proof if needed though I’m not trying to hurt the seller). Not due to flaws or a bad seller but because the pictures did not show all of the scuffing that is actually on the blade. You could not see any of the hada and barely the hamon in hand. The pics don’t show this and it looks really clean IN THE PICS but if you look carefully you can see the swirls hiding in plain site. It is going to need a polish immediately and isn’t a study piece as is. A good sword but will need investment so be aware.

[Bazza]

Alex, sooner or later in collecting Nihontou one has to 'bite the bullet' and buy.  $1,000 is a good starter IMHO.  I would buy it and send to a good polisher (search the Board for discussion on polishers) and beware a cheap deal.  A 'cheap' polish gives you what you pay for - disappointment in the long run as your knowledge and experience grow.  I've been there and done that.  Vajo wrote "Its a nice shinto katana my guess".  I agree and FWIW think it could be earlier Shintou than later.  To find out all it costs is money, and when it comes to good Nihontou it pays to be not shy about money...  You will win some and lose some, but you do have to get your feet wet.

 

BaZZa.

[Matsunoki]

Does anyone else think the nakago has had a Mei removed?……or am I in need of new glasses?

[Bruce Pennington]

That’s an interesting idea. There are big, coarse file marks along that edge that don’t match the fine final marks of the yasurime.

 

If that’s the case, though, it must have taken place long ago before the rust.

[aabderson]

Why would some want to file the Nakago on this sword? It’s unsigned 

[Matsunoki]

9 minutes ago, aabderson said:

Why would some want to file the Nakago on this sword? It’s unsigned 

It is fairly common. Someone or some organisation realised the sword had a “fake” signature ie gimei and had it removed which is perfectly possible by a trained artisan. Look closely at the nakago. It might be just the images playing tricks but I think I can see faint traces of an inscription and  the area where a Mei might have been looks like it might have been messed with. There certainly are differences in the yasurimei.