Carousingbear

Thank you Brian and Jean. This is incredibly fascinating and, yes, as an average member of the public, my mind is thoroughly blown - especially since I thought I was researching a sword that was 60-70 years old. I can't wait to tell my friend about all this. I'm starting to get the hunger of a collector... I need to do some reading and save some money... :lol: Maybe I'll post some pictures after I've done a good, safe clean of it. Thanks again, Josh

OK... so, the running theory is that it is a resized Nagamaki Naoshi? Will a (careful, nonabrasive) cleaning be needed to tell for sure? Do I need to post better pictures? Or do I need have it appraised in person to be sure. Just so you know, I'm very appreciative of all the help and I don't mind coming off as ignorant so long as the trade-off is the vast knowledge of this community.

Thank you, Stephen, I'll do that. Thank you. I'm looking into what that is exactly. Are the newer pictures any better? Or should I try to get better shots of the... kissaki boshi(?) Thank you. I'll see what my friend says and then follow your instructions exactly.

I'm in southern California. I'm sure I could find a show somewhere out here. I'm also looking up the Japenese terms you guys are throwing at me so give me a minute to look those up and soak those in. Possibly 250+ years old? That's incredible. I almost don't want him to sell it

OK. I'm not sure which angles are needed to best assess the blades state, so I tried a sampling of angles. Hopefully they help.

Thank you so much for the quick replies. I'm taking more pictures of the blade presently.

Hello all, A friend of mine recently gave me a sword that he wanted me to try to sell. He knows that I'm no expert in swords but he decided that since I am a frequent ebay user that I would, for whatever reason, be able to sell it. He basically said, "here, sell this." He said his Grandpa brought it back with him after fighting in WWII. He also said that his Grandpa was stationed in or around the Philippines - he wasn't sure where exactly. I've been trying to identify it myself as best as a layman can. It seems to be a wakizashi: The blade is ~ 14" and it's a little over 19" overall (from the tip to the edge of the tang) It's not in great shape. Someone (I have no idea when) removed the wrapping on the handle, so that it's bare; it's also cracked. The Tsuba(?) is greatly rusted and deteriorated. The tang is very rusty, and the blade is stained with what I'm assuming is blood. The scabbard is also cracked vertically. The only identifying marks I can find are on the Tsuba and the Fuchi(?). The mark on the Tsuba is barely visible as it is so deteriorated. The Fuchi seems very well preserved, almost too well, as if it's a newer piece. From what I've read, if this is indeed a WWII era Wakizashi, then it is possibly machine made. It also has two holes in the tang even though the handle has only one. I really appreciate any help. If you need me to take more pictures at different angles or in better lighting or whatnot, just let me know. ... also, since I am trying to sell it, if it is genuine, would you happen to be able to give it some sort of appraisal? I do have a sense of the value of historical items but it's not mine so please don't crucify me. - Josh