Shamsy

A handsome looking pair! Nicely preserved and of course the skin on saya is always better than lacquered. Were I still collecting officer swords I'd be jealous!

Yes, nice little summary of terminology. Cheers David

Bruce is spot on. As much as the old guard would hate to admit it, NCO have run rings around nihonto and officer swords over the last decades. A standard NCO can pull more money than a nice officers! Like any capital investment though, all Japanese swords need to be held for a significant period of time to realise a growth. Copper handles are the exception.

Very nice catch John! My combat cover is tatters, but the sticker underneath is pretty minty too. Glad you went back to this thread to keep the info compiled.

My stainless kai had similar spots on otherwise perfect steel. It is rust resistant, not proof, after all. I assumed it was just ‘worse’ areas.

Lots of these mismash swords appearing now. Very few worth a second glance and this is not one of them. Oh, and a great question Chris, you’d not believe how many come through with dirt, loose rust and grease all over the blade. A quick wipe and oil would be great. But these same people love to get sweaty hands all over them too, so I guess if you're selling something you just care less.

At this time, would there have been a demand for swords outside of the war effort? I ask this rather naively, because I'm not sure what the civilian industry was like at the time. More a question Joe could answer I imagine.

It's a shame they can't even get the screws right, or you could use them to replace missing ones.

Fantastic, thank you Dan! I note the sarute is the wrong way around on the NCO. As what I imagine is an untainted example, it goes to show that the correct way is not necessarily the original way. I drooled over that sword for a long time.

There is nothing in eBay policy that stops you saying the sword is also for sale outside of eBay. You cannot state you won't sell through eBay though.

Ergh. I have seen a couple of regular gunto that defiantly have that black spider-web blood spatter etched into the metal. Now I know what it is and why it is different to the regular patch rust.

Here are the aforementioned pictures, (took a while to achieve the right conditions to capture each aspect) showing the overall blade condition, along with the 'milk-spotting'. I've added one under more controlled lighting conditions to show you what the white spotting looks like. It takes on a more brownish appearance. I have no idea if this is blood or not. Certainly it is a sword that has been carried in the field, but beyond that I cannot say. Lastly, a couple of pictures of the scratched up kissaki. It doesn't look that bad in hand, but micro lenses pick up everything. Even made my Gassan look scratched in perfect polish...

Urgh. That would be quite horrific Bruce. I call them milk spotting because they're like small whitish drops and smears. I'll take a better look and see if I can capture then in a picture. They're on a fair bit of the blade, not overly noticeable at first glance. Does Ohmura have an example picture I can compare?

If you get your hands on a rare NCO I'll happily trade Brandon.

Oh yes, I'd still like an idea of value. Frankly if push comes to shove and it's between funds for a 95 or not... The Mantetsu is out the door. I'll get those photos on tonight or tomorrow. Cheers Ed.

Thanks for the date Bruce. The mei was straight out of the books so no worries there, but I am once again reminded I should try to learn some basic translation. Ed, I get entirely what you're saying. Sadly the blade is scratched around the kissaki and has some small areas of stain along with overall milk-spotting. The good part is I neither care, nor does it matter, because I'm not going to and really don't want to sell it. Might get it polished one day, but plenty to see as is and I've got other priorities.

Congratulations on doing the sensible thing and seeking the advice to start with. Otherwise you could be another ‘I bought this rusty wakizashi on eBay, what is it?’ story. To but a katana, I think you've come to the most helpful and knowledgeable mob on the wide net. Good luck.

Thank you both. It is one of the finest ‘standard’ koshirae I have seen. I say standard as there are some truly custom ones with exceptional craftsmanship that are reminiscent of art swords. I'll get some blade pics up in next couple of days. As to market... I'm really reluctant to sell. It's only a money thing and there's always more right around the corner. I'd say no, not for sale.

Hi Chris, wise words indeed - value is in the eye of the beholder. I am smitten with this sword precisely because it was carried and used in combat. It has the patina and scars to show it. It's all original and the leather combat cover has been preserved instead of cut away to show off the minty saya. It is as it was during the war, except perhaps for leather shrinkage and a few extra milk spots. In my mind, I may never get one as nice as this. Or I may get a nicer version, with a clean, newly wrapped tsuka, a minty saya bereft of combat cover, cleaned fittings... not my thing! These were combat swords, not parade sabers! (I would love to get the blade cleaned up a little though. Polishing blades is something I don't object to at all). Here are a few more pics. The fittings are actually gorgeous and of the very highest quality, hopefully you get a better look now. Yes they are a little 'grimy', but see above. The light-weight aluminium saya must truly be mint under that leather. If only it was removable for a peek! Matched numbers (48) on the seppa and tsuba, as well as the tsuka. It's actually stamped 48 into the wood! You can see the 8 pretty clearly in photo. Hoping there may be something that can be gleamed from the kanji, but seems unlikely. Got you a nakago-mune pic too Bruce, as promised! See what date this lady was made

Well I hope it did some good. I guess the lesson for this is that it may pay to state in the declaration that the sword complies with packaging requirements. Otherwise there is no reason we cannot send swords to the States. This was a two week process to resolve, a lot of misinformation and frustration- probably on both sides. I'm glad it is sorted out and that eventually someone was able to state that Aus Post will in fact carry swords. I've now got documentation I'll be keeping on hand, just in case! Thanks all for the information when asked, especially Ken who helped assemble a case from the U.S. side.

9 November 2017 Dear Steve, I write in reference to your enquiry regarding an International Article CFXXXXXXXXXAU you were posting to the United States that was returned to you before it left the country. I can see from our system that you have been in communications with our International team to try and reach a resolution in this matter. Your case was escalated to my team to conduct an additional review to see if there was anything further we could do to assist. I contacted the Manager of the XXXXXXXX Gateway Facility who were responsible for returning this article to you. Whilst they don’t keep a manual record for the reasons why your item was returned they responded and advised the following: The exportation of swords is not prohibited within Australia Post system and is allowed to be sent to overseas destinations. However, there are packaging requirements that are required before swords can be shipped overseas. Below are packaging and labelling requirements particularly for items going to United States. They are not sure whether the original parcel met the requirements or not. If not, then it would have been for that reason why the parcel was returned to the sender. The packaging for sharp-edged or pointed item must comprise: Primary wrapping with the sharp edges or points wrapped in or protected by cork, polyurethane foam or similar material. An outer rigid container of metal, wood, strong plastic or other rigid material. Please note special markings required on certain articles of foreign origin imported in to the United States 4. Special markings required on certain articles of foreign origin imported in to the United States (e) Subject to the exceptions prescribed by law, the following articles must be marked legibly and conspicuously to indicate their origin by die-stamping, cast-in-the-mould lettering, etching (acid or electrolytic), engraving, or by means of metal plates which bear the prescribed marking and which are securely attached to the article in a conspicuous place by welding, screws or rivets (TD 53455): knives having a folding or movable blade; knives with fixed blades, including forks, steels and cleavers; clippers, shears and scissors, and blades thereof; safety razors and parts thereof, for safety razor blades; You noted in your case that you have sent similar items before with no issues so I’m confident you are aware of the proper packaging requirements. In light of this, it appears your item was returned in error as such, I would like to provide you with a refund of your postage fees. A money order in the amount of $XXXXXX will be posted to you within 10 business days. Once received, you can cash at an Australia Post outlet or deposit at your financial institution. Valid photo identification may be required. On behalf of Australia Post, I offer my sincerest apologies for the inconvenience and frustration caused. Should you wish to discuss this or any other postal matter further, please contact us.

I've only disassembled two swords and documented one. As Stegal states there's not much to see... But Bruce seemed to show otherwise on his pattern 5. Sword’s real mate. Saya is anyone's guess really. You're best placed to determine that.

Thanks Thomas, I really had no idea what it was! I though it may have been for assembly, so I was way off! Only the market will tell Matt, but appreciate the reigning in of expectations. I personally much prefer a sword what has clearly seen use, so perhaps potential buyers will too.

Right, thanks guys. I'll get some pics for you Bruce before it goes.

Hey guys, what are these swords worth? High quality fittings, gorgeous light-weight aluminum saya in combat cover with original leather laces. Fittings all original, a patina that screams ‘been there done that’. The blade is thick, chunky and in undamaged condition. A few milk spots and scratches, with a heavier patch of scratches near the kissaki on one side. Overall very good, you can easily see the hamon and grain like pattern. Got a lot of kanji on the tsuka too. No idea what they are...