robinalexander

Hi Calvin @rodeocb34 It would be great if you could ask whoever is responsible for that sword to please get some oil on the blade as an interim measure to look after it. That is active rust if I'm not mistaken. It's slowly dying. Rob

That was her one bag which is only used for dramatic effect. Bugs, she had her two bag in the baggage compartment which she picked up later. I thought everyone knew that

Ohhhh JC that is soo good

Don't know Bruce, but for the imaginative, there is a great movie in that shot! Nice.

Sold for $1149.60 AUD ($806 US) I remember when you could buy a real one for that

Yep yr correct John... the danger is that the buyer wont realise straight away or maybe at anytime in the future that they have paid a lot for nothing. This is not the only fake at that particular auction and I have pointed that out too. Dare I say it, but I actually like this auction house....however I really wonder where they get their 'experts' Rob

Picture belongs to above post ...

This one of two fakes going to auction today in OZ at Lloyds Auctions Historic Arms and Militaria.... as usual I advised the auction house who advised me " Everything we have on this end suggests that the information available on these listings is accurate, and the vendor is well-reputed" ... Their specialist asked me for reasons as to why I believed it was fake...I listed them...provided a link to NMB to an identical fake and invited them to post on NMB for comment. Well that was 14 days ago, nothing else heard and now the price is up to $910 AUD and rising faster than inflation. I don't know why I bother. DESCRIPTION ..... Japanese KATANA SWORD WITH BRASS-WRAPPED HANDLE AND SCABBARD Item Size: Height: 96cm, Width: 8cm, Depth: 2cm, Weight: 1Kg Authentic Japanese Katana Featuring A Gently Curved Steel Blade With Visible Patina, Brass-Wrapped Tsuka (Handle) With Traditional Cross-Hatch Binding, Ornate Tsuba (Hand Guard) With Relief Detailing, And Matching Lacquered Wooden Scabbard. Blade Displays Characteristic Japanese Forging Marks And Tempering Lines. Tsuba Bears Impressed Japanese Characters And Imperial Mon (Family Crest). Scabbard Features Decorative Lacquer Work With Geometric Patterns And Brass Fittings. Includes Period-Appropri Condition: Fair - Refer To Images I am glad that Lloyds Auctions provide a the following 'rider' .... LLOYDS VERIFIED We take immense pride in offering you this genuine item, which exemplifies exceptional quality. It is important to note that while this is an authentic product, in rare cases provenance may be unknown or aftermarket items may have been added to enhance its overall appeal and uniqueness. We value transparency and strive to provide you with accurate information, ensuring that you are fully informed about the product you are considering. Rest assured, our commitment to offering genuine products remains unwavering, and we are dedicated to your utmost satisfaction with your purchase.

Hello Nazar, Good picture.....this 'string binding' of sayas has been mentioned before, maybe on the leather combat cover thread? I believe many of those seen are period, in fact I have a copper 95 with the tell tale makings of old (long gone) string binding. Of course, both metal and wooden sayas had leather covers in the combat environment but what happened if you were transferred without the benefit of a leather cover or yours simply rotted off in the tropics.....string? My belief is that it may have been done to both camouflage and also, possibly more importantly, to reduce any noise occurring from the steel saya hitting the many other metal military objects carried. Sound carries! Rob

Hi Joe, as you are new to this I just wanted to emphasise, or expand upon, a couple of points already made above.. I believe they are very important. 1. CLEANING ....dont clean too hard...IMO most buyers/collectors value and appreciate the patina that you find on every part of a sword like this. So as it's > 80 years old please leave that patina intact. Honestly, you do not want to go and polish the copper tsuka (handle) or any other part of a sword that may well have been through China and WW2. Just gently clean to remove dirt and dust then super light oil and that's it. 2. DISASSEMBLY ... as mentioned, please don't do it. TYPE 95's such as this were not designed or meant to be disassembled for cleaning or anything else. Unlike Officers swords (Types 94, 97 & 98) that were actually made to be taken apart. As Sam said there is nothing on the tang under the tsuka so it's far better to leave it together....nice and tight. I also would be interested in seeing clear pics of the number on the saya (scabbard) throat....if its matching,that's a plus and it would make it an even better example. You have got something quite special there...take care of it. Rob

Perry, is it for a Type 94 Army Shin-Gunto or Type 97 Navy Kai-Gunto?

John, is it possible there are different grades of gold thread? Maybe early ones were purer and later ones had other metals mixed (even slightly) therefore opening them to corrosion in 'salt air' type environments. Just about everything else in the Japanese war production changed over the war years as money got tight and resources started to dry up. Type 95's for example or even the length and width of tassels. Just a thought.

Nice find Bruce... another picture from a different angle your auction 'find' ...nice sword!

Hi Andrew, The Kai Gunto looks good from the little that's shown. Sword aside, I am no expert re translation or surrender tags for that matter.... I have only one but i have seen many. I also know what I would believe and buy and this 'surrender tag' is not it. To be honest I would be making observations and asking lots of questions of the seller. IMO this tag is just not >80 years old. The age of the material (Calico?) is so wrong as is the new twine and fresh texta kanji. Maybe it's a copy of the original that fell apart or was lost? But, considering the above and with the anomaly of the rank IJN vs IJA, I would question both the authenticity of the 'tag' and any supposed relationship with the sword. For me, what ever is written on the tag is academic. Don't mean to be negative ....just my opinion. All the best. Rob

Calabrese (Hokke) above, hit the nail on the head.