Inquiry About An Old (Japanese?) Sword....

[Jilbsz]

I got this sword from my grandmother who passed away years ago. Apparently she got it long ago from a guy when he came home overseas (Korea or WW2). No back story on it. She just kept it in a garbage bag under the couch and I used to take it out and look at it when I was a kid. I know it's been around my whole life at least, and I'm 33. 

Anyone have any idea if this may be legit? I know there are an endless amount of fakes (even old ones), and I'm not getting my hopes up. But I have been wondering for YEARS and have considered getting it appraised. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have been browsing the site for a while, and admire the amount of knowledge the users have. 

blade: 30 and 3/4 inches 

handle: 8 and 3/4 inches

[Jamie]

Can you post a better picture of the nakago(tang) please.

From the pictures it seems it may be old.

[Jilbsz]

Here are a few other photos I have that may help. 

 

 

 

[Grey Doffin]

Hi name please

Your sword is real, a short katana (long sword) with a 25" cutting edge.  Pictures of the tang (the part of the blade inside the handle) will help us identify it closer.  Here is a link to a care & handling site that will show you how to treat the sword.

http://www.nbthk-ab.org/Etiquette.htm

Grey

[Brian]

Impossible to evaluate a sword properly from just a few rough pics, but what can be said is that it is real, and it is old (antique)
And although this is just a massive generalization...it does have a few features that may sometimes be present on better swords, such as a double habaki and horimono. Therefore it would benefit you to get it looked at in hand by someone familiar with Japanese swords.
Who do we have near Louisville?

[vajo]

The nakago looks strange. Maybe it was changed before ww2 to fit for a kyu gunto.The horimono is nice.

[Bazza]

The horimono has a WW2 look about it to me as does the odd-looking nakago jiri...

 

Time will tell.

 

BaZZa.

[Grey Doffin]

Nihonto in Louisville:

http://www.nihontocraft.com/japanese_sword_home.html

Grey