chgruener Posted August 11 Report Share Posted August 11 Hello all, This sword is in my personal collection and I was wondering if someone could identify the smith and possibly the age of the blade. I’m assuming that this is a fairly “new” blade, being made in the 1940s, but it does seem to have been remounted once before being damaged. Based on the damage, it does appear that the blade took a direct hit from a bullet which was subsequently split in two. You can see the channels formed by the two halves, one exiting cleanly off to the right and the other to the left. See Imgur link for more detailed photos. https://imgur.com/a/Nrvm5ms 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Singer Posted August 11 Report Share Posted August 11 Baba Tsugukiyo 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fusilier Posted August 11 Report Share Posted August 11 Thanks for sharing Christopher, great sword and very evocative. As I said on my own thread, I'm no forensic ballistics expert but that doesn't look like a bullet strike to me, its looks far more like shrapnel damage and unfortunately for the officer carrying it, he'd almost certainly have caught some of it. I'm sorry I can't help with the translation but I'm sure one of these guys will be able to assist, they are guns when it comes to translating these inscriptions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Pennington Posted August 11 Report Share Posted August 11 That's a gorgeous habaki, Christopher! Any stamps above the mei or a date on the other side? or stamped numbers at the end? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chgruener Posted August 11 Author Report Share Posted August 11 32 minutes ago, Bruce Pennington said: That's a gorgeous habaki, Christopher! Any stamps above the mei or a date on the other side? or stamped numbers at the end? Thank you, Bruce. Nothing else from my observations. Just the signature as photographed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chgruener Posted August 11 Author Report Share Posted August 11 42 minutes ago, Bruce Pennington said: That's a gorgeous habaki, Christopher! Any stamps above the mei or a date on the other side? or stamped numbers at the end? Bruce, this is a photo of the other side. I also now realize that there may be a number “2”. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Pennington Posted August 11 Report Share Posted August 11 Ok, no date, thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinalexander Posted August 11 Report Share Posted August 11 1 hour ago, chgruener said: Based on the damage, it does appear that the blade took a direct hit from a bullet which was subsequently split in two Worth pics on thread 1 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Pennington Posted August 12 Report Share Posted August 12 13 hours ago, chgruener said: I also now realize that there may be a number “2” Just saw this, Christopher. Hm! Is it an inked stamp number 2? If so, I've never seen one like it. Are the other metal fittings stamped with a 2? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chgruener Posted September 30 Author Report Share Posted September 30 On 8/12/2024 at 8:37 AM, Bruce Pennington said: Just saw this, Christopher. Hm! Is it an inked stamp number 2? If so, I've never seen one like it. Are the other metal fittings stamped with a 2? Bruce, it looks stamped rather than inked. I did not look for any other numbers but none stood out to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Pennington Posted September 30 Report Share Posted September 30 54 minutes ago, chgruener said: stamped Ok, I see it. Must have some yellow paint in it. I just realized we are talking about the RJT smith Tsugukiyo. I have a few of his blades on file, many without star, but many with stamped numbers. Some have a "saka + number" on the nakago mune (back edge of tang). Have you checked the back edge of the nakago for stamps? As for a star, it would be above the mei (might have to remove all fittings to see it), however with no date, it's unlikely to have a star stamp. Let me know what you find! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chgruener Posted September 30 Author Report Share Posted September 30 31 minutes ago, Bruce Pennington said: Ok, I see it. Must have some yellow paint in it. I just realized we are talking about the RJT smith Tsugukiyo. I have a few of his blades on file, many without star, but many with stamped numbers. Some have a "saka + number" on the nakago mune (back edge of tang). Have you checked the back edge of the nakago for stamps? As for a star, it would be above the mei (might have to remove all fittings to see it), however with no date, it's unlikely to have a star stamp. Let me know what you find! Just took another look, no star anywhere or other numbers. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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