IJASWORDS

Hi Geraint, this is the first time I have looked at the bare blade, (my photos are not the best) so we are both looking at it for the first time together! It looks like a purpose made blade and not a cut down naginata. MUMEI unfortunately, can you identify any age from the nakago? It is hard to see from photo, but there is a nice hamon. Neil.

Charlie, I am in the older age group, and my only mentors/buddies are also in poor health. Bruce, the children of WW2 Vets are probably in their 60's as well!!! We need new younger generations of collectors coming through. Neil.

Thanks Ben.

Hi All, I promise not to post too much more, but just picked up (today) a little sword with NANBAN TSUBA and fittings and KOGATNA. The blade length is about 14 inches, is this size a TANTO or WAKIZASHI? You will have to cut me some slack, as I am a GUNTO collector, and these pieces are out of my field of expertise. Neil.

Thanks Ken-Hawaii, I WILL and HAVE kept away from buying on eBay, been burned too many times, only buy now from trusted sources or old estates. Also, don't worry, I have resisted any temptation to use any thing but oil. I do get jealous however when I see posts of you guys beautiful blades, with HAMONS that look like snow capped mountains!!! Neil.

Hi, whilst my line of collecting is WW2 GUNTO mounted swords, there is a percentage that are traditionally made old family blades. I have some KOTO and onwards. So this question is relevant to this part of the forum. Attached are photos of an early 1800's family blade (for example) that has staining (not pitted rust). I have never or would never think of "backyard" polishing this blade or others I own. BUT, it is not worth spending $$$$$ on a professional polish. Besides regular use of the powder ball and CHOJI oil, what else can be done? I see many great looking swords on ebay for example that I KNOW have been attacked by backyarders. I am happy to continue to leave it as is, but I know the staining would reduce its ebay value if the time arose to sell them. Don't get me wrong, I love the WW2 swords with authentic PATINA, and I keep them that way, but I don't know if the "market" appreciates it as we do. Any thoughts on my dilemma? Neil.

Most of my "sword buddies" both here in Australia and in the USA are in their 60's and 70's. We love our sword/militaria collections, and want them preserved even when we depart this mortal coil. A recent topic of conversation, is what happens to our collections when we move on. God forbid, they are left to rust away or sold off by un-knowing relatives to junk dealers. A sword buddy tells me his greatest fear in life is that his wife would sell his swords for what he told her he paid for them!!! I think a lot of us would fall into this situation. I have come to an arrangement with a fellow collector, that on either of our demises, we guide and help our families manage their swords. This is not morbid, but a practical solution. I think this topic certainly comes under the umbrella of sword preservation and should be addressed. There is the potential for good collections to be lost or broken up. Is there some thing NMB members could offer if it a concern to others? I want my swords to be around for another hundred years, but not necessarily in my family. They wouldn't be appreciated or cared for. Neil.

Hi Bruce and Shamsy, one of the attractive features about the NCO swords is that they are rarely disassembled, as no one is looking for hidden treasure blades. They are usually also not attacked by amateur polishers looking for any HAMON or features in the blade. From my point of view, an as is, patinated NCO is more desirable. OK, stabilize active rust with oil, that's called preservation. In my experience collecting forged GUNTOS, nearly 100% have been disassembled, probably half those have been reassembled in the wrong order, and God forbid some have been assembled using mixed components that were never on the original sword. Its pretty easy, knock out the peg and any thing goes!!! A good honest original unassembled, unrestored NCO certainly has its attraction. I actually get angry when I see a GUNTO that has been tarted up to "improve" its looks or saleability. Like putting lipstick on DaVincis Mona Lisa. Neil.

Hi All, can I ask a stupid question. If the sword was a WW2 SHOWA made blade, why was it put in civilian mounts, with a scabbard that has what looks like provision for a KOGATANA? If it was going to war, and made in war time, would it not be in military mounts? I can understand an old sword in civilian mounts put in a leather combat cover and taken to war. What am I missing? Neil.

Hi Shamsy, looked at your attached thread, VERY INFORMATIVE, and answered many of my questions. My specialty is really 94's/98's, but have picked up some nice 95's along the way. They were the ugly ducklings of WW2 swords, but to be honest grow on you and provide good research material. You don't see too many show up these days however. Neil.

Hi Bruce, faint TOKYO mark on small drag sword, but can't find any arsenal marks on larger drag sword. Attached a photo of other wood handles I have laying around, one has over stamped 3xxxxx number, the other has none, is this normal? They have wooden scabbards with iron ends. Saw a late war NCO sell on eBay a couple of days ago at USD2700+, WOW, can't believe it. Always appreciate your analysis, knowledge and prompt replies, Neil.

Hi, in my wood handle collection, I have noticed two varieties of NCO scabbard drag. All in the 2xxxxx series. One is larger and more pronounced, see photos. Could some one throw some light on this variation please? Neil.

Thanks, will do. Neil

Hi, all I would add, is look at the bottom scabbard brass plug. I have attached of an original plug photo for comparison. Neil.

Hi Jim P, lesson learned! Thanks for your research. I will also do more myself. Neil.

Hi Jussi, thanks, I have tried to find the exact translation, but this one has so many variations, I think JSSUS had 8! Tampere is a nice place, I used to work in HANKO! Thanks for your help. Neil.

Hi all, YEP found it on JSSUS. BUT, quite a few that look similar, that was my issue. I will do more research before wasting the forums time. There seems to be more interest and activity generated when a Chinese fake is posted especially in the MILITARY SECTION. I have only been a member a few days, so was taking the opportunity to identify a few puzzles related to my collection of genuine GUNTO. I assumed, probably in error, that the forum was as much about sharing collections as asking for help, as collecting is a lonely business, because there is not a collector on every street corner that you can interact with. Any way I will continue to collect/study/preserve WW2 swords and KOSHIRAE, as they are of great historical interest. Neil.

Hi all, found this old blade in GUNTO WW2 mounts. It looks cut down, and some MEI missing. Help would be appreciated. Neil.

Hi Stephen, yes there is quality and matching SAMURAI theme. The KASHIRA is a SAMURAI helmet, the FUCHI has a SAMURAI face mask (MEMPO), the TSUBA has a SAMURAI battle fan. The MENUKI look like SAMURAI warriors (but covered by wrapping). I have seen this SOTEN theme some where before but cant remember where. Hope we are getting closer to a landing. Neil.

Hi Stephen, did my best to photograph KASHIRA. Hope it helps, Neil.

Stephen, finally got a HAMON shot by eliminating bright light. Neil.

Hi, (thanks Stephen great links), Hope these photos help. It is with an iPhone, and I cant do any better!! Sorry. If you could look at these in conjunction with the other posts it may help. Neil.

Hi, what would you like close up photos of? I am happy to oblige. This will point me in the right direction for other posts in future. Neil

Hi, I hope the attached photos help with identification. My interest is WW2 swords and I certainly show my ignorance when it comes to NIHONTO. I have some "old" blades in WW2 KOSHIRAE, and will probably have to post photos here over time to get a proper identification of them. Looked up SOTEN and yes, found it is a school of fittings. Even saw an example like mine, open work with SAMURAI MEMPO and HELMET designs. Any way appreciate your honest opinions. Neil.

HI all, I got this pretty little (22inch) WW2 mounted sword, I have been told, is SOTEN. Nice engraved silver HABAKI with hundreds of little stars, MUMEI, with a provision for a SARUTE. I would love to learn more about its age locality or any thing else about it. The fittings look like a SAMURAI helmet, Samurai battle fan etc. Looking forward to hearing from you, Neil.