Inherited Sword Need Information

[DebraB]

I inherited this sword from my late husband. It was given to him by an uncle that had been overseas. By the late husband's description, it was in more or less perfect condition when he got it in approximately 1970. However, the pictures show what happens when a sword is given to a 10 y.o. boy. That is the extent of his knowledge of the sword. Ive had an older Japanese woman look at it and all she could tell me was that it was very old Japanese and she couldnt read it.

It measures 25 inches in total with a cutting edge that is just over 19 inches long.

 

[John A Stuart]

Debra, we need pictures. John

[PNSSHOGUN]

No psychics here, we need pictures! Click the "more reply options" to bring up the photo upload menu.

[DebraB]

Im having issues here. Lol. Im using my phone, do i need to be on a pc instead? I cant find/see a "more reply options" option.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Scroll to bottom of the page and click "Use Desktop Version".

[Ed]

Debra,

I live only about an hour from you if you would like for someone to look at it in person.  You can contact me at yakiba.com@gmail.com or call 318.613.6375.

 

Ed

[John A Stuart]

Great Ed, but, let us see the pics as well. My curiosity is tweaked. John

[Ed]

I don't mind, but it's not up to me. I haven't heard from the lady as of this writing.

[DebraB]

FINALLY got the pics posted.

[Ray Singer]

Signature: 古山陸奥介弘元 (Furuyama Mutsu [no] Suke Hiromoto) 

Date: 天保 ニニ年八月日 (Tenpō yon nen hachi gatsu hi ) - A day in the 8th month of 1833

 

An example of his work on this page, 4th sword down.

http://www.choshuya.co.jp/1/0712/thanks_sword.htm

[John A Stuart]

Debra, you are developing some bad rusting there. It needs a polish. Until you either have it restored or sold, to prevent further deterioration use sewing machine oil on the blade. John

[DebraB]

John, its been that bad for years. Hubby just talked me into oiling it. Doubt i will ever sell it but, everything has a price. Lol. I would love to restore it but, doubt i could afford it. I also feel it may be de-valued (if there was any value) due to a nick in the cutting edge.

[DebraB]

Raymondsinger, thank you so much. I was wondering, is it a katana or a wakizashi (hope its spelled right)

[John A Stuart]

Wakizashi. John

[Ray Singer]

Edited post. I see you provided the length in your opening post. It is a wakizashi.

 

Best regards,

Ray 

[Ray Singer]

Please send a photo of the chip(s) in the edge. It appears to be a wide piece, and if the hamon is also wide it is possible that the shape can be restored by a professional polisher with no loss of value. Also (saying this with emphasis) only a licensed sword polisher should handle the restoration work if you decide to do this in the future...

 

John, its been that bad for years. Hubby just talked me into oiling it. Doubt i will ever sell it but, everything has a price. Lol. I would love to restore it but, doubt i could afford it. I also feel it may be de-valued (if there was any value) due to a nick in the cutting edge.

[DebraB]

Here is a pic of the largest nick. The others are much much smaller. Im curious as to value as is and restored? And what a professional restoration would cost? What does the side worn next to the hip say?what is written on the saya say?

 

Any and all information would be greatly appreciated because this sword has been in my life for 20 plus years now and this is the first time anyone has been able to tell me anything about it that is correct.

[John A Stuart]

That's no big problem. It'll be around $1500 to polish, add the Saya restoration and it goes upwards a bit. The main thing is that it is an heirloom and at some point may be worth it as a memoria. John.

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Debra,

Here is a page that will tell you how to take care of the sword:

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

Restoration, if done right, will cost about $2,500 to $3,000 and it won't add anywhere near that much to the value, which is, in current condition, somewhere less than $1,000.  Restoration, if done by the wrong person, will make this worth even less; don't do that.  I don't think someone in your position (accidental owner with only passing interest in the sword as art) should have a sword restored; keep a fine coat of oil on the blade and enjoy it for its story until you are ready to pass it on (sell) to someone with greater passion.

Grey

[Ray Singer]

That does not appear to be a very significant chip and should be restorable. Please note though that handling the blade with your bare hands will promote further rusting. Grey has shared an excellent article above with recommendations for handling and care.

 

 

Here is a pic of the largest nick. 

[Ken-Hawaii]

Debra, it will be worth driving an hour to meet Ed. He is quite expert on Japanese blades, & is also a dealer who can be trusted.

 

He can also show you what a good, polished blade looks like, & what it is worth.

 

Ken