Real Nihonto?

[aabderson]

Hello all, I am new to nihonto and definitely not an expert with this style of Japanese sword so I am asking your your help. I was under the impression that all these "parade sword" blades were machine made. My question is, is this blade machine made or could it be an older wakizashi (nagasa is 24 1/4 inches long) n modern mounts. What do you think? Machine made or could it be older? Does this style of blade detach from the handle where the nakago can be visualized?

[Bruce Pennington]

There were some Type 19s with fighting blades in them, with the "dress sword" type handle.  The nakago would have a screw end and the end of the handle will have a piece that can unscrew allowing the handle to come off.

[Conway S]

Alex, 

 

That's a Type 8 precursor to the Type 19. Note the absence of open-work metal design on the guard. This type of sword is fairly uncommon compared to the Type 19 which saw use through WW2. Normally if this was a mounted nihonto, there would be an ana for the mekugi. It looks like the tang of this sword is threaded into the back on the handle. A picture of the back end of the handle would help in determining if this is an older blade or not. If it's screwed on, would not recommend trying to remove it. 

 

Conway