Laird Posted January 11 Report Posted January 11 I am a newbie and have owned this sword for 25 years. I only know that it is WWII, and I believe is probably an officer's sword. I have never cleaned or dismantled it. It weighs 1.38 kg unsheathed. The blade length is 67.5cms. The blade, on both sides, is decorated with inlaid brass running the full length of the blade, which I think is unusual. I am interested in all information about this sword, type, comments about the inlaid decoration etc. I would like to remove the handle but am afraid to do so. I can see the peg on one side of the handle, while on the other side it is under the binding. How would I clean it if I were to decide to do so? Quote
2devnul Posted January 11 Report Posted January 11 Hi, My very quick guess, based on Tsuka, tsuba, saya = made in China (replica, not Nihonto). Rust on blade doesn't help, and gold-painted hamon-wannabe is also strange thing. It will help if you could remove tsuka and show nakago. Also kissaki pictures are helpful. You will find instructions on how to remove tsuka either here or on YT/Internet. Same for cleaning/maintenace. Quote
Brian Posted January 11 Report Posted January 11 Also suspect Chinese. Never seen that sort of gold wave-work on a blade. Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted January 11 Report Posted January 11 Hi Laird! I've enhanced the photo of the tsuka. The wrapping is Chinese style - all the folds go in the same direction. Japanese wrap alternate directions The sword was likely made in China. Now whether during war, for Japanese use, or collaborators, or a replica/fake impossible to know. To be honest, most like this are labeled as replica/fakes. Are you certain the gold is inlaid brass vs painted? If inlaid, you can use all the normal blade cleaning techniques, like chogi power, pure alcohol, and oil. You can safely remove the mekugi (peg) by gently moving, or get underneath, the wrap that covers one end while you tap it out. Quote
Laird Posted Monday at 09:38 PM Author Report Posted Monday at 09:38 PM Thanks for the information. There's clearly no question that it is Chinese rather than Japanese. Can I assume it would have been made in China for supply to the Japanese army? Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted Tuesday at 12:01 AM Report Posted Tuesday at 12:01 AM There is a chance of that. Since we cannot know for sure, your guess on it is just as good as the guys that will say it's a fake/reproduction. Quote
PNSSHOGUN Posted Tuesday at 12:43 AM Report Posted Tuesday at 12:43 AM No, it would almost certainly have been made post war as a complete fake. 3 Quote
Ian B3HR2UH Posted Tuesday at 02:08 AM Report Posted Tuesday at 02:08 AM There is ZERO chance of that Bruce .You are being far too kind Richard Fuller , I think , wrote about fakes being made in india . Perhaps this is one of those as the brass inlay is something that might be found on an Indian sword . It is however NOT Japanese . It is rubbish . These things should be called out for what they are and we should not be giving people false hope 4 1 Quote
Brian Posted Tuesday at 06:08 AM Report Posted Tuesday at 06:08 AM Agree. Occam's Razor. These are fakes. There is very little to zero chance that any of these were made during the war or by Chinese for the Japanese. I know we don't like to be brutal and blunt, but facts are facts and giving false hope is really counter-productive. 1 Quote
Laird Posted Tuesday at 05:57 PM Author Report Posted Tuesday at 05:57 PM I've been mistaken about the 'inlaid brass', under a magnifying glass it's paint. I'll take the handgrip off, and whatever is underneath should settle it. 1 Quote
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