Three swords from WW2 New Guinea

[charlieboy]

An Australian gentleman, who is a long time militaria dealer, has offered me three swords which he advises were acquired by Australian servicemen in Papua New Guinea during WW2.  I would really like to get opinions on each.  Age, type and authenticity please.

 

I will upload five photos of each blade, as follows.  Signed tang.  Lengthened/joined tang. Unsigned tang.

 

Thankyou so very much

 

[robinalexander]

  On 2/18/2024 at 11:11 AM, charlieboy said:

An Australian gentleman, who is a long time militaria dealer, has offered me three swords

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Hi Charles, I'm a bit confused trying to work out which part of which sword is which.  The pics and 'flow' aren't really clear to me.

 

As a general comment I'm not liking what I see so far and I wonder if that is why you havent had a response on this. 

 

What are the terms of the "offer" ...does he want money for them? 

 

If i was new (newer than I am) to the sword collecting thing, I wouldn't start with these.

 

Don't mean to be harsh. 

[PNSSHOGUN]

Authentic, but of abysmal quality. The only reason to accept these swords, is if they were being given away for free. 

[Bruce Pennington]

The source being New Guinea could explain the low quality.  These might be "island swords" made on location by locals.  The quality of their work is always quite poor.  If you are looking for legit Japanese WWII swords, you should pass on these, unless you are attracted to the island sword category and the price is right.

[lonely panet]

All junk. Bin jobs

[Kiipu]

  On 2/18/2024 at 11:11 AM, charlieboy said:

Signed tang.

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枝川 Edagawa or Edakawa.

A Japanese last name.

 

Cross-Reference

Help authenticating sword and signature

[charlieboy]

  On 2/20/2024 at 5:30 PM, Bruce Pennington said:

The source being New Guinea could explain the low quality.  These might be "island swords" made on location by locals.  The quality of their work is always quite poor.  If you are looking for legit Japanese WWII swords, you should pass on these, unless you are attracted to the island sword category and the price is right.

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Bruce, thanks for your constructive feedback.  I'm interested in the ww2 history, so am intrigued by the idea of locally made swords in the pacific theatre.  I gather they were a little like a 'last ditch' arisaka, of sorts.  Did the Japanese force PNG locals to make such 'island swords' for them?  If so, where would have they been made, and from what?  I presume, as supplies became increasingly limited, a lot of ingenuity was required from the Japanese.  Excuse my ignorance, but why would the Japanese soldier, presumably under immense battle stress, bother having a sword made by locals? I'd love to learn more about this if you have any references.

[charlieboy]

  On 2/20/2024 at 7:37 PM, Kiipu said:

 

枝川 Edagawa or Edakawa.

A Japanese last name.

 

Cross-Reference

Help authenticating sword and signature

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Thank you so much for your response.  Whilst i am now aware they are 'junk' at least you have helped me dig a little deeper in the junk yard.

[charlieboy]

  On 2/20/2024 at 7:37 PM, Kiipu said:

 

枝川 Edagawa or Edakawa.

A Japanese last name.

 

Cross-Reference

Help authenticating sword and signature

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Thanks so much Thomas.  I am advised that it is most likely an 'island made' sword.  Do you know if Island made swords ever had Japanes last names inscribed in them?

[charlieboy]

  On 2/20/2024 at 11:50 AM, PNSSHOGUN said:

Authentic, but of abysmal quality. The only reason to accept these swords, is if they were being given away for free. 

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Hi John.  Thanks for your reply.  When you say they are 'authentic', do you mean that they are war time made swords, but are 'island made' swords?  I am interested in authentic weapons of the Japanese in WW2, regardless of quality and place of manufacture.  Can you assist me by enlightening me on when they could have been made and do you know roughly how many 'island made' swords were made for the Japanese in the pacific?  Any insights would be most appreciated.

[Kiipu]

  On 2/21/2024 at 5:58 AM, charlieboy said:

Do you know if Island made swords ever had Japanese last names inscribed in them?

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I know of one offshore sword with a name on it.  It was made in Indonesia during World War II.

A mei, a very odd/questionable Nakago, a weird mark and katakana writing.

[Bruce Pennington]

Charles,

We don't have much factual data concerning swords made in occupied territories.  There is an interesting story from a POW where he tells of making many 'samurai' swords ordered by the Japanese for PETA soldiers:

 

In his recounting, he said "Towards the end (of the war)..."