Davis

Hi Martin, I tried to provide that information but it wouldn't work for me...old age and lack of computer skills. In my post " Value of old German Book" Dale, it seems would be able to provide you with much more information, a lot of it new to me.. Also, I told you the wrong number of tsuba. Basically, it would seem, Rudiger the Baron of Biegeleben was selling his collection. Tsuba 607 - 725 were "linked" to the Archduke. Thanks very much Geraint, for some reason I had thought the blade was much older -perhaps I'm thinking of another of his swords mounted in that way.

Hi Martin, you probably know of this. While researching for something else I came across a reference to the collection of " The Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria" It mentioned that 17 tsuba with a link to him were to be auctioned off on Monday 10th December 1923 in the Kielmannseggsaale. This would seem to suggest that the nobility had the interest, resources and opportunity to acquire some good pieces. Source. Japanese Sword Guards In The Collection Of Georg Oeder Of Dusseldorf.

Would anyone have an idea as to the value of this book? It's a heavy tome with 37 illustrated pages of tsuba and fittings from the Gustav Jacoby collection. For something published 120 years ago the details show up quite good. I believe there are at least two more companion volumes to this one that I have. One gives a detailed description of all the tsuba shown in my book, the other has illustrations of swords that were in the Gustav Jacoby collection. Jacoby donated the bulk of his collection to a Berlin museum. Years later, museum staff witnessed the crated boxes containing the collection being loaded onto ox-carts, this was in 1945. The Hermitage is probably where the collection resides now. Any thoughts or additional information would be welcome. The book is in good condition for it's age.

Thanks John, I was going to write Captain Johns, then had my doubts and started to think about Biggles, memory not too good. Thanks Geraint, I would like to see it , Martin's article has opened a door on a fascinating subject. Martin, really looking forward to more on this.

Thank you Martin, a very interesting article. Geraint, I remember when the Field Marshal's collection came up for auction in London and feel sure the sword you mention was included, perhaps someone still has a copy of the catalogue and details of that sword? I remember from my early days of collecting that there was a collector who as a young British Army Officer took one of his Japanese swords to the trenches in the 1914-18 war. I also owned a yari blade that had been dug up from a former battlefield in France. I recall a picture in a 1920's book of the then Prince of Wales dressed as a Japanese General. As you say there must be other examples.

Thanks for your response and efforts John. This sword has been packed away for over a decade. I've only recently started studying it again. I think that it's a fine blade but I don't have the knowledge to pin it down to a particular smith. Years ago someone suggested to me, first generation Munehide, this really confused me. I realised then, after many years of collecting I was totally ignorant and would never truly understand Japanese swords. As for gimei?? Thanks everyone for your help.

This was a description of the sword given to me years ago by a collector/author.

Thanks very much for your reply and those links John. I own both swords. The first was bought very cheap. I've had the Munehide/Muneyoshi for many years and still don't understand what I actually have, it's an enigma. Downside to it is that it does have some tiny rusts pots. I will provide a few more details when time permits. This picture doesn't show much, I will attempt to do better. Thanks for your responses.

John, hopefully this picture will show up the area of corrosion much better. Kirill, thanks for that information, this sword ( 2nd ) also has mitsumune.

Same subject, different sword. I have limited reference material so would welcome opinions.

Thank you all for your comments and Geraint, the comparison. Before I posted, I had read here on NMB comments made by Guido Schiller on this smith. I had no expectations. This sword was an unexpected find in a very sleepy state. I can imagine it had laid unforgotten in a loft or cupboard for several decades. The blade ( fortunately ) covered in thick grease, tsuba almost black rust and kashira hanging by a thread, overall koshirae in understated nautical theme. Covered in dirt and grime. It was a good price and in my opinion worthy of collection. Thank you for your help.

I appreciate the pictures are not very good. If this signature is authentic this sword would have been forged between 1664 when he received the title and 1721 when he died. Unfortunately, I can't read Japanese, don't have the knowledge or the necessary references to make that call. So I have assumed it's gimei, am I correct?

Thanks John, I found this interesting. It seems museum officials were surprised that this sword found it's way to Berlin. I'm not. Berlin was home to many wealthy collectors and some of it's museums had extensive oriental collections. In 1944/5 artworks were crated up and stored in bunkers, at least one flak tower and even beneath the Chancellery building. There are many accounts of these being looted.

Thanks John, interesting reading. I made a note in an old book that I came across, a reference at one time there being 10,000 such swords in Australia, also that a former Japanese soldier spent a lot of time trying to buy them up, in the old Token newsletters somewhere. There were some good newspaper clipping from Australian newspapers sent by Major Brookes? at the time. This is from memory but I think it can be verified.

This sword is from the Alanbrooke collection which was donated to the Royal Artillery Museum. It was "Object of the Month March 2023". Apparently it has now been judged to have been forged around 1800. There are a lot of these "presentation" pieces that are not what they say on the tin. A "Generals" sword presented by Mountbatten to a well known British military figure fetched quite a sum at auction a little while back. I believe there is a definite pattern to the presentation of some of these swords. This is an extract from a document I came across "Mountbatten is sending Samurai swords to all five COS. These swords are ancient and valuable, having been surrendered by officers of good family......" I apologise for taking this subject a bit off topic but when I get time and can concentrate properly I will make a new post on the subject.

Thanks Mike for starting this off, I believe Mountbatten's actions saved many historic items from destruction. Many thanks John C. saved me from going through many old boxes. Thanks too, to John, I'd completely forgotten about that article. Regards the swords he acquired for himself ( B W Robinson ) Back in the early seventies I went to view an auction at Elliot and Snowden. It was a hot sunny day and propping open a door leading to the pavement was a leather clad gunto. A brown ticket label was attached to the hilt, on which was written "Brought back from Malaya, B W Robinson" There was no mistake it was his handwriting which was so very distinctive. On a quick search found this.

To-ken Society of GB monthly newsletter "Programme 81" gives an account of the talk given by Basil Robinson. He reminisces the time as a British army captain he sorted through 1800 surrendered swords in 1945. Mountbatten had access to all of these. "Programme No.37" has a letter from Han Bing Siong describing the sword at Windsor Castle and speculates on the sword Mountbatten returned to Japan. Unfortunately, I cannot lay my hands on these newsletters at the moment, perhaps someone has copies of them? Back in early postwar Britain Mountbatten wrote a memo listing those who were to be presented with swords but noted that they haven't arrived in the UK yet . I'm still searching for this. On the internet somewhere is a film clip of Mountbatten at his home, holding one of the swords surrendered to him, he talks at length on this. I'll look for it when I get time.. A gunto sword with a blade by Yasutsugu is on display at the Commando Training Centre and is presented annually. It is yet another one said to have belonged to Field Marshal Count Terauchi Hisaichi. It's known as the Mountbatten Sword. Quite a few pictures of this sword being presented at that establishment can be googled.

Great history, wonderful newsreel. The late Basil Robinson gave a talk to the To Ken many years ago and detailed how he was tasked together with a Japanese Officer to sort through and grade surrendered swords. Mountbatten returned to the UK with a very large number of these and made many presentations. I have some more details somewhere and will try and find my notes.

Dale, I'm not sure if this is relevant but I'll post anyway. It's from Japanische Schwertzieraten, which catalogues the Gustav Jacoby collection that was donated to a museum in Berlin. Published 1904.

Mike, Apparently she had twelve regiments. My guess and it is only a guess, Kings Own Scottish Borderers. 2nd Battalion went to Burma in 1943. Took part in Imphal and Battle of The Admin Box. The Royal West Kent Regimental Museum has exhibits from both these battles and from memory has that famous wooden cross with the names of the fallen. Mike, I can't help thinking that it would be a good project for your students to work on before presenting to a museum etc., As Brian said it could be sold at auction. The Stowe one ( from memory ) was sold at auction and fetched a very good price but it was hundreds of years older than the one you have. The information about the 2nd Battalion I found online, how accurate it is I don't know.

I can't read the brass plaque in full, google the Duchess of Gloucester and find what regiment she was Colonel in Chief to in 1948. Many schools had military items donated to them in the early fifties. Pubs, veteran's clubs and other institutions displayed them with pride. Stowe school had a superb tachi which as far as I can remember now, came up at Phillips. I was called to a local school years ago as the headmaster wanted to know what to do with two antique Indian swords that had been donated.. Considering the world we live in now the best thing would be if the school donates the sword to the Regimental Museum. it's a part of history, and should be remembered.

Thanks Colin, appreciate you comments, Lewis and Russ, nice to know you remember those times. Alex, I was going to try and reply with something positive and mention the good work that was done in 2007 when they were trying an outright ban. I spent much time writing to MP's and Home Office etc., It was others though who managed to save the situation. See this page from the Consultation Document. I just broke off for a cup of tea and saw a news item on TV, an incident is in progress at Hainault tube station ( I knew it well ). A man has gone berserk with a sword and stabbed five people. The shape of the sword is familiar. Seeing that, my attempts at being positive have evaporated. I don't recognize my country anymore, the sacrifices by my parents and grandparent's and those generations, were in vain. Consultation document.pdf

Brian, I think you might be right. I remember those early London Arms fairs. Long queues formed up early before the opening, once in, the place would be buzzing, with much jostling around the dealers tables. I went to one awhile ago and there were more dealers than punters. I've collected for many years and have noticed how social attitudes have changed. I grew up postwar in a badly bomb damaged area of the East End of London. As a seven year old boy I took part of my collection to school. A spear, picklehaube and a German pistol. The helmet was put on display in the school library, the spear wouldn't fit in the glass cabinet and I had to take it home again. The gun was more of a problem and my mother had to go to the school to pick it up. As a teenager I would advertise in a weekly magazine called the "Exchange and Mart". It was a different world then and very trusting. Virtually all communication was by letter and people would send me things by post, usually wrapped in a single sheet of brown paper tied with string. I made a return offer by post and if the offer was accepted send a postal order to them, if not I would return the item using the same brown paper. I bought my first Japanese sword through the Exchange and Mart,. from a police officer. I went to his home, gave him a couple of quid and travelled home with it on the bus. Other passengers weren't the least bit bothered or interested. It was fun collecting back then, how times have changed.

This tsuba stickpin 1.2cm wide at auction in UK.

It too reminded me of the grain in wood. Early use of the symbol ( Gustav Jacoby)