ww2 japanese souvenir sword

[jeeplover]

i was recently reading that after the war Japanese swords were made just as souvenirs. is this true? and if so does any one have any pictures of 1.

[Mark]

i think the making of swords was banned after the war (1945) and not allowed until later - maybe early 1950's

[jeeplover]

oh ok what i had read was after the war in citys in Japan . that americans were stationed in that you could buy a souvenir sword from a shop. am trying to find it again. if i cant find it maybe i miss read.

[jeeplover]

Almost ironic is that the fact that the first “fakes” where actually produced during the war by enterprising Australian troops who made high-priced “samurai swords” for souvenir-hungry American GIs. These, along with many of the modern reproductions, feature spurious tang signatures and pattern fittings that never existed. These are often misrepresented as the low quality “emergency” or home-made swords, so buyers should be especially cautious when coming across them for sale.

Before purchasing any high-priced military collectable the best advice is to do some research and conduct the transaction with a reputable dealer. And should you already be fortunate to have in your collection or to further obtain a sword the best advice is to consult a reputable dealer before cleaning or attempting to disassemble it. Blades should never be greased, touched by a hand or cleaned with abrasive materials. Rust on the tang (under the hilt) is actually meant to be there and can help determine a blade’s age. ok this is what i was reading i got this off another form

[jeeplover]

and then there is this http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0505617650

[Jamie]

Thats probably a modern chinese fake. Either way it doesn't matter.

It's $23.00 , Can't go wrong there! (kidding)

[jeeplover]

i know was just currious if the souvenir sword thing was true or not lol.

[moss]

Keith,

 

The last "jeep spring special" I saw come up for sale went for over $800.

Some people actually collect them for their historical value.

I do believe that one of the spurious tang signatures was "Officers Latrine" ,probably just urban myth ,but worth a chuckle.

I guess the diggers would have copied anything they came accross to make the sword " Real".

Enterprising bunch cashing in on the demand.

 

I believe also the Indian's and Spanish? were also involved in knocking out some bring backs ,not sure where I read that but I did.

 

Cheers Moss

[estcrh]

and then there is this http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0505617650

Keith, this type of sword tuska and saya is made from carved bone and for the most part any blade mounted in these will be just a blank piece of metal shaped like a blade. People collect these for the carvings, some of which can be quite elaborate. I do not know how the seller knows that it is post ww2 and you will see this type being described as being for the tourist trade.

[Bruno]

I have read they were banned from 1945 to 1953 in Japan.

[estcrh]

I have read they were banned from 1945 to 1953 in Japan.

Thats a good question..was that all swords, or just certain types? Maybe someone here can answer that.

[Bruno]

All of them during this short period as i remember, old swords and gunto.