Painted signatures

[isojames]

My Father brought a Naval sword and another one pictured below back from Japan at the end of WWII. I have the US Military Paperwork which indicates the U.S. Govt. removed some precious stones from the sword prior to allowing him to take it. It has a black laquered wooden scabbard and also came in a Silk cloth case, which has since been lost by children/grand kids. I have not seen any other painted signatures posted and was just wondering what I have?

 

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/6051/010nwa.jpg\\

http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/6461/004fko.jpg

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/6088/006snw.jpg

 

 

Many thanks

[Geraint]

Welcome Jim.

(Please always sign your posts with your name as per board rules.) What you have is a Japanese naval sword of a type known as a kai gunto. The blade is probably made from rustless steel judging by the almost pristine nature of the nakago, (Tang). The painted signature looks like a mark to do with assembly of the completed dsword, quite common on swords that are signed as well but in this case I think not a signature. This sword would not have had precious stones associated with it's mount in any way. Perhaps they were in a bag along with the sword? From the point of view of most collectors this would not be regarded as a true Japanese sword though it would have some interest to military sword collectors.

 

As this is a naval sword and apparently different to the other one that you mention I am sure we would all like to see pictures of that one as well?

 

Cheers

[Mark]

it is a late war navy or naval cadet sword. the blade is made with stain resistant steel (salt water exposure). Can you please post a picture of the paperwork.

[Lindus]

Looks like an Army not Navy sword, certainly the mount are not Kai Gunto. Painted characters are for assembly not signed , also agree thsi is anti rust metal, sort of stainless Iron.

 

Roy

[David Flynn]

Roy, kai Gunto with single ashi.

[Lindus]

Hi David

 

The Kabuto gane,Menuki et al are all Shin gunto not Kai dont ya think?.

Roy

[Brian]

The "precious stones" thing was always a rumour and not fact. Not sure where it started, but no doubt a lot of swords were damaged looking for things that simply didn't exist. Some tsuka were vandalized to remove the menuki in the mistaken belief that they were of precious metals and gemstones. Would love to see the US Army paperwork that says they removed gems....that paperwork would be collectible in its own right.

 

Brian

[patrick7813]

It's a Shin Gunto but with certain Naval (Kai Gunto) characteristics (black lacquered wooden saya, blackened oval tsuba, tsuka with blackened canvas under brown silk Ito). All other fittings are standard Shin Ginto style. These are described in Fuller & Gregory and were used by land based Naval personnel supporting Army units. I agree the blade is an anti-rust steel.

 

Cheers,

[Geraint]

Ahh, well at least I don't feel like a complete idiot, parts of me are missing. I must have had a senior moment, saw the black saya and same and went for it. Roy is of course right the hilt mounts and the ashi are shingunto. I must apologise to Jim who by now may be more confused than he was when he started. At least we all agree on rustless steel for the blade.

 

Sorry for the confusion, I will just go and regrind my contact lenses..............

[David Flynn]

Teach us all to look at things more than once.