jackoandyj

thanks, sums it all up nicely, thanks again!

What is the best way of getting rid of finger marks?? Their look to be some balck finger marks on the blade where someone has held the blade and the oil / acid has etched the blade. How can I restore the blade so that it is really clean, or would this require specialist measures. If that is the case, it is probably not worthy of such treatment as it is not the best example around of an officers shin gunto! also what is o-kissaki, i have looked on this site, and admit to all of the word meaning little to me? is it a bad thing that the blade is like this? and also is it bad if it is oil tempered rather than water? sorry to be a nuisance I have no idea about all of this stuff and find it very interesting. I am now thinking about getting the sword mounted in a display case so that it does not get picked up and damaged, as it seems a shame to be hidden away! what are your thoughts?

:? what ever that means? :? when you hold the blade at the right angle you can see a triangle (that being the tip) and then a ripple effect along the blade?

a couple more of the blade and end that i took yesterday another view of a section of the blade notch in the blade hope these other pics help??

Thanks for all of your help on here tonight, at least i know it is not a fake and although it may not be in pristine condition, the sword has a story to tell! I shall study how to care for my sword and maybe get some repairs done to it also?

some more pics of the blade..................................... end looks to have some damage, also blade does not feel that sharp to the touch? another blade pic another of the guard can i buy a retaining screw anywhere? does it have to be original? or will a copy do?

So it looks like the real deal to you then?? I would not consider parting with it even if fake as I have many a good memory cleaning it with my grandfather. It was a humbling experience today when I allowed my son to hold it. I was probably not much older that he is now, and the look on his face as he was standing their holding a real sword was priceless! I feel it would be a real waste to just sell it and want to pass it on to my son. do you have any thoughts on how i should clean it up or just leave it?? the scabbard catch does not work and also as you can see the handle securing pin is missing is it worth getting it polished professionally?? I have spoken to one of my work colleagues though about translating the inscriptions. he is married to a Japanese woman, so she will be able to decipher

Hi chaps, I am very new on here! have only just registered today! Today I became the owner of a sword. A sword that used to belong to my grandfather who brought it back from burma in 1940 something. My uncle recently die and my aunty did not want a lethal weapon in the house and as my father did not want it so asked me! This is why I apologise, you must get so, so many people saying I have my grandad's sword who was in WW2 and would like to know some more about it! I am not the first nor will be the last!:? I am fascinated by the Japanese tradition of sword making and although this one was probably punched out by a machine, would like to know more about it. I do remember the sword with fond memory and we used to clean it together on the odd occasion when he polished the other brass objects in the household at the time. I can hear you saying, you should never use BRASSO on a sword! I must admit to starting to clean it when I read some of the articles on here, which is why in the photo's some bits are shiny! oops hopefully no damage done?/??? Anyway, this is probably a very common story but here goes. The story is that in Burma an ambush happened and my Grandfathers friend was killed and in the fight he then killed the man who killed his friend. I would love to believe this but as I am an open minded individual, believe that he probably picked it up from one of the many dead or wounded at that time???? Although I do remember a transcript that my Grandfather wrote describing the event. Unfortunately this resides with my father of who I wish no contact with! I would like if possible to draw upon your knowledge on this subject and say yes it is a fake or no it is not, and shed some light on the origins of this amazingly decorated life taker! some links to my photobucket account here it is a breakdown view. the securing pin in the handle was missing. I remember it being their as a child but in the ownership of my uncle seems to have disappeared? one side of the sword showing inscriptions. I am worried about the 135 that you can see on the end?? why is that their?? would it not be in Kanji? probably a fake as it does not have a blood groove on the blade either?? most other photos i have seen have a groove?? but alas I am no expert which is why I am here! The other side of the sword handle? Symbol on the handle guard? the other brass pieces also had inscription on them?? Now that i have it in my procession, I find them facinating and would love to know what i should do with it? hand it in to the police to snap the blade and dispose of it (which I do not want to do) Or keep hold of it and cherish it although it will have to stay somewhere that my son will not be able to prat about with it! I look forward to you ideas and suggestions. i have seen so, so much about fakes that this could be one and once again I apologise if it is> Thankyou