Beginner Here, What Are Your Thoughts On This Katana?

[optimus]

Dear members,

 

As a beginner in this collecting-field (just bought one shin gunto so far with help from the forum) I am thinking about bidding at this object at a auction i Scandinavia. They date it to early 20th century, does that seem right?

 

What are your thoughts on this katana? There is no pictures of the nagako, so I understand that it is hard to tell.

 

There is some damages, yes. 

 

I think the ashi looks a bit army like to me? (Bear in mind that I´m used to look at western arms).

 

 

 

 

[Stephen]

hard to tell what it wants to be? Navy? Tachi? without nakago pix it would have to be a pass for me.

[ROKUJURO]

Peter,

the pictures don't show enough to make a guess. As Stephen said, close-ups of the NAKAGO (not nagako) would help. The SAYA looks dubious and while it makes an impression of an army item as well as the TSUKA, it is probably not genuine.

In any case, this is not a blade I would consider to buy as the KISSAKI seems to be heavily damaged.

[optimus]

Thank you Jean! 

 

Now I have learnt about Princess Nagako, later Empress Kōjun as well. Life is a learning curve

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empress_K%C5%8Djun

[Ken-Hawaii]

Totally unrelated, Peter. The correct word is NAKAGO.

[ROKUJURO]

Ken,

I have the impression that he made a joke without giving it a smiley.

[Stephen]

Yep he was funing himself

[PNSSHOGUN]

Late war Naval/Civilian sword. Koshirae is a mismatch of WWII Naval and civilian parts. Value would be mostly in the blade (which is in very poor condition) and the oddity of the mounts.

 

I wouldn't advise purchasing this unless the cost was well under 500usd