capajo02

Thanks for the information, Geraint. I have added my name in my signature. The blade is tight, without any play/movement when fully "assembled." Even after removing everything myself, and reassembling, there is no side-to-side or front-to-back movement once the mekugi is in place. When I get home this evening, I will look to see if I can find any shims in the tsuka. After speaking at long length with the person who sold me the sword, I highly doubt it is a "modern" fake; maybe not a 100% authentic or perfect Japanese sword, but also not post-1945. I always live by "buy the item, not the story," but because the story was so simple and honest, it seems likely. This came out of a PTO veteran's house whom the seller knew; he worked with his son. He passed about a year ago, and the family has no interest (sadly) in his service history, so they are trying to raise some funds by selling things from his estate. Thanks, John

Are these photos helpful? I also took one of the tsuba, habaki, and seppa while I was at it. Thanks.

I am following up here after receiving the sword. There is no signature on the nakago. I don't know of these pictures can provide any information, but I said I would post them, so here they are. Thanks again for the help.

Thanks to you as well, Bruce. I did decide to buy the sword. I will take more detailed pictures when I receive it, and I will post them here.

Hello Brian, Thanks very much for your insights. I appreciate your time and knowledge. I assumed it was a later blade, but, again, I am brand-new to all of this, so I am happy you can take the time to correct my incorrect assumptions. Many thanks.

Hello to the members of the forum! First, let me offer an apology: I am, unfortunately, just another person who joined to "pick the brains" of the members here. I have tried to do my own research, spending a great deal of time trying to learn proper terminology, sword construction, parts, etc. and I have fallen down the internet and written-material rabbit hole with seemingly little knowledge to show for it. I hope you will forgive me for adding to the "help me" posts by complete novices. I am interested in acquiring an original WWII-era sword for a personal display. I am a militaria collector, not a sword aficionado. (I do collect private purchase US edged weapons from World War II, but I know very little about Japanese blades.) My main concern is just confirming the story that this could, in fact, be a WWII vet-bringback sword and is from the WWII-era. To show I have tried to do at least some of my own research: I assume this is a machine-made blade, but I am not sure as there are no detailed photos. I also see that the fittings (tsuba, kabuto-gane) appear to be non-military, but the leather-covered saya does look military. Please let me know if this is a correct configuration for a sword from before or during the war. Photos attached. Thanks in advance for any opinions.