help with WWII sword

[celtic47]

I inherited this sword from my dad who passed away recently and I'm just trying to find out more about it. It was given to my dad as a gift back in the 80s and was told it was a Japanese military sword. I've been trying to do research and so far can only really tell that it's WWII.

 

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss73 ... 161027.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss73 ... 161011.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss73 ... 161012.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss73 ... 161013.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss73 ... 161014.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss73 ... 161020.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss73 ... 161022.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss73 ... 161024.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss73 ... blade1.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss73 ... 161018.jpg

 

Maria M.

[Mark Green]

Hi,

Your sword looks real enough.

Have you researched how to remove the tsuka (handle)?

That would be a great start. Then send some good pics of the bare Nakago (tang)

That way we can 'see' the swords age, and possibly it's maker, much better.

Mark G

[mdiddy]

Hey Maria,

 

Your research is correct. It does look like a WWII Japanese sword. These swords were carried by officers and called Shin Gunto. Most likely the sword was manufactured in the 1940s as part of the war effort. Looks like it is in decent condition with some slight rust here and there. If you would like more info, you may want to get some pictures of the 'tang' for us. The sword's tang is revealed if you take the handle off by removing the peg about 1 inch below the handguard. I have circled it in your photo. Japanese characters on the tang can tell us the swordsmith and maybe the date the sword was made.

 

For sword care and some other basics, please refer to the 'FAQ' section at the top left of the page. Lots of good info there. Also, here is another good link on Shin Gunto: http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/military.htm

 

Matt

 

edit - must've posted just after ya Mark

[celtic47]

Any tips on removing the hilt? I tried the technique shown here of holding the sword and striking the wrist, but it did not budge.

[BenVK]

Did you remove the wooden peg as circled in the photo above? You might need to tap it out gently with a hammer. I found that a chopstick makes a good tool to use.

[Mark Green]

Hi,

If it has not been removed in 50+ years, it could be a bit tough. Keep trying the wrist bump. It may loosen up. If not, a bit more force may be needed. This takes great care!!! Please be very careful. This sword is a big razor blade.

Or just wait until someone that knows more, can help in person.

Be sure there is only one peg holding on the hilt.

Mark G

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Maria,

Here is a method you can try to remove the handle. This method should be tried only on swords with cast military tsuba, like the sword in question, or with iron tsuba without soft metal additions. Never try this with a soft metal tsuba.

Make sure the pin (mekugi) is out of the handle and check lower down the handle to make sure there isn't a 2nd mekugi. Fold a bath towel in thirds lengthwise and lay the towel on a workbench or kitchen counter with about 3 or 4 inches of the towel hanging over the edge. Lay the side of the blade flat on the towel and slide the sword forward so the tsuba bumps into the towel hanging over the edge. It might take a few bumps and you might have to carefully increase the force of the bump, but eventually the blade will start to slide loose from the handle. Once loose you can grab the blade below the habaki on its nakago (tang) and remove it from the handle.

Keep track of all the parts; keep them in order so they can be replaced correctly. The sword care website you've found already shows how to replace the blade in the handle. Make sure the pin goes back in, and if the old pin is falling apart make a new one out of a chopstick. It is very important that the pin be in the sword.

While you have the handle off, do not clean the nakago in any way. In fact, don't try to clean/fix anything on the sword; any attempts to make it better will only make it worse and damage value.

The handle is tight because it hasn't been off in a long time. After you have the handle off once it should be easier the next time you try.

I'm in The US, central time zone. If you're in The States also and have questions about trying this feel free to call. Grey 218-726-0395

[celtic47]

Grey, thanks for the different technique. I finally got the hilt off to find that the tang is unmarked.

 

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss73 ... 7/tang.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss73 ... /tang2.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss73 ... sword2.jpg

[Mark]

it looks like the sword is not signed. The way the tang is finished gives the impression that the sword is not hand made but is a factory made blade. It is a representative item from WWII. I hope you care for it, keep a light coat of oil on the blade

[celtic47]

How much might it be worth if I wanted to sell it?

[Mark]

$300-600

[celtic47]

How would I go about tracking down a reputable place to sell it? Thanks.

[SwordGuyJoe]

You could try the "For Sale or Trade" section here