A couple of new (to me) ones on the way

[Mich]

Well I reckon the best way to learn is probably the hard way...

 

I picked these up at an auction the other day and am waiting to see them up close.

 

I believe the top one to be a Type 98 but not really sure about the bottom one.

 

They are not in the greatest shape but they fell within budget and will join my Type 95. 

 

Appreciate any info  on what you guys see.

 

Once I get them in hand I'll try and get better pics if desired.

 

Thanks 

[PNSSHOGUN]

Is the tassel red and brown on the top sword? Page 43 of "Military swords of Japan 1868-1945" has the bottom sword as being made in Java.

[Mich]

They should arrive next week.  I also could not discern the tassel colours from the pics.

 

The one saya is clearly in a sad state. 

 

I would appreciate any advice from you guys re removing the remaining leather - thanks

 

Mich  

 

[Matsunoki]

Just thinking maybe the saya for the top one is an old converted civilian/Samurai one which might mean the blade is an older one? Difficult to say from these images.

I would leave the remaining leather….its part of its history. You might try to take it off, doubtless damaging it in the process only to find all the lacquer under it falls off. Saya could be split as well. Wait till yet get em and post better pics.

[Bruce Pennington]

I agree with Colin, nothing to be gained by removing the leather, at at it's age, will probably do some damage.  Those are just black, wooden saya, quite often used to house older, family blades.

 

Be sure to update us when they come in!

[Mich]

Well finally received these two swords. 

 

Some pics of #1 which is likely from Java per PNSSHOGun

 

Seems like someone scrawled something (a name) into the leather?

 

She's a rough one boys!

 

 

 

  

[Matsunoki]

…and #2????🙂

[Mich]

23 minutes ago, Matsunoki said:

…and #2????🙂

Sorry...here is #2

 

 

[Matsunoki]

Was hoping you’d got an old blade but sadly not. The military sword guys will tell you all about it. Looks better than the first one!

[Mich]

14 minutes ago, Matsunoki said:

Was hoping you’d got an old blade but sadly not. The military sword guys will tell you all about it. Looks better than the first one!

 

Haha - yep, you never know I suppose!  

[Kiipu]

1 hour ago, Mich said:

Sorry...here is #2

 

A Word War 2 Seki swordsmith.

石原兼直 =Ishihara Kanenao

[John C]

If the scrawling on the first one were spelled a little differently (Subedar) it could be a military rank in South East Asia. Roughly equivalent to warrant officer.

 

John C.

[Yukihiro]

8 hours ago, John C said:

If the scrawling on the first one were spelled a little differently (Subedar) it could be a military rank in South East Asia. Roughly equivalent to warrant officer.

 

John C.

To me it rather looks like a surname of German origin : Subauer. 

Probably the name of the U.S. serviceman who brought it back home as a souvenir.

[John C]

I was seeing "Subadir" so took a guess that who ever wrote it didn't spell it correctly, however you could be right. I couldn't find any references for Subauer.

 

John C.

[Bruce Pennington]

Mich,

No date or stamps on the Kanenao?

 

Also, that brown tassel says this was carried by a Gunzoku servicemember.

 

Oh, and for and 'island sword', that nakago on the first one is pretty well made!

[Mich]

49 minutes ago, Bruce Pennington said:

Mich,

No date or stamps on the Kanenao?

 

Also, that brown tassel says this was carried by a Gunzoku servicemember.

 

Oh, and for and 'island sword', that nakago on the first one is pretty well made!

Thanks Bruce

 

The only other marks I could find are as follows. (*although the second pic I am not sure is even a stamp?)

 

 

[Bruce Pennington]

Thanks Mich!  Both are the large Seki stamp, likely date range for you blade is 1941-43, '42 most likely.

[Mich]

13 minutes ago, Bruce Pennington said:

Thanks Mich!  Both are the large Seki stamp, likely date range for you blade is 1941-43, '42 most likely.

Thanks again to the members for the help in identifying these.

 

While in less than pristine shape overall - at least they appear to be "original" from what I can tell.

 

I will say the first one (Island Sword) is definitely sharp!   

[Kurttt]

Hello Bruce,

 

Kurt from Switzerland here. I've been looking through this forum a lot and have been seeing your name a lot. I'm looking for a WWII Katana for my Fathers Birthday (Budget up to 5000). I'm not very knowledgeable so I'm seeking help on where to find and buy real swords from the era. Hope you can give me some information. 

 

My email is: k.johnson777@hotmail.com

 

Best,

 

Kurt 

[Nihonto Chicken]

Though not much hataraki may be seen on the "Java sword", good news is that it doesn't appear to be all that pitted.  Looks like a prime candidate for a "power uchiko" treatment (just don't ride up and over the shinogi).  An hour or two should reveal whatever activity is present, though the Seki stamp advises keeping your expectations modest. 

[Bruce Pennington]

15 hours ago, Kurttt said:

Hello Bruce,

 

Kurt from Switzerland here. I've been looking through this forum a lot and have been seeing your name a lot. I'm looking for a WWII Katana for my Fathers Birthday (Budget up to 5000). I'm not very knowledgeable so I'm seeking help on where to find and buy real swords from the era. Hope you can give me some information. 

 

My email is: k.johnson777@hotmail.com

 

Best,

 

Kurt 

Hi Kurt!

I don't mind chatting via email, but I think other guys from Europe might be able to help you more, as I don't know the best options for buying swords over there.  One thing I can tell you is the NMB For Sale or Trade: Swords and Edged Weapons forum is a good place to start.

 

I've bought half my collection from dealers, and the other half on ebay.  Dealers will cost you more money, but are more trustworthy.  Ebay is a minefield full of fakes and sometimes shaky sellers.

[Kurttt]

Thank you Bruce!

 

I've sent you some Swords via Email. Hope you could give me some information about them. 

 

I really appreciate your help.

 

Best,

 

Kurt