Type 8? Strange one.

[Tensho]

Came across this "Type 8" with some serious issues. I was interested by the hilt. Sharkskin handle and the design is carved instead of cast. I have seen some with carving but not the whole thing. Has anyone seen one like this before?

[Conway S]

If you look at all the pictures in the listing, it appears the motif is not symmetrical. I don't think it is original to the sword. Also, this sword is a Type 8, not a Type 19. 

 

Conway

[Tensho]

35 minutes ago, Conway S said:

If you look at all the pictures in the listing, it appears the motif is not symmetrical. I don't think it is original to the sword. Also, this sword is a Type 8, not a Type 19. 

 

Conway

Thanks for the correction.  Solid guard, not openwork. 

[Michael T]

Hello Tensho

Thanks for showing this dress sword, here is another example of this model.

From time to time, similar pieces from the early days of the Japanese armed forces appear on the market. I consider these two pieces to be regular IJA models from the 1870s.

Wherever a Japanese officer carries a dress sword, there is also a kyu gunto. If one has survived and is now in a collection, I would be very happy to see it here!

Michael

[Tensho]

Thanks for the pictures Michael! 

[Conway S]

@Michael T Thanks for posting. I am not familiar with this variation of the Type 8. Could you post more photos if you have them?

 

Conway 

[Michael T]

Hello Conway,
the parade saber is still in the same condition as when I received it.
The scabbard mouth and the wooden strips of the scabbard are missing. The tip of the blade was shortened a bit – perhaps because the tip of the scabbard has some deep dents and the blade could no longer be pushed all the way in.
The handles of the two examples of this model are the only ones I know that simultaneously feature both the five-petal Sakura AND the ten-petal cherry blossom.
Michael

 

 

[Conway S]

Thanks for posting more photos. I think you are correct this is a very early variation. The Type 8s I have seen all have convex cherry blossoms on the backstop, whereas on this example they are inlaid.