Wolfmanreid

I’m very grateful for everyone’s replies. I believe I’ve found a buyer here on the forum and as tempted as I am to keep the sword simply as an unusual piece I am more happy to get it into the hands of someone with a more specialized interest in collecting 19th and 20th century Japanese militaria than I have. The most recent owner of this blade was the grandfather of my college pal who I later joined the army with. His grandfather was an irascible old fellow who had come to the United States as a refugee from Poland in 1939. He subsequently wound up in the US army. Naturally as a fluent Polish, German, and Russian speaker the Army sent him to fight the Japanese in the Philippines, an experience he did not enjoy in the slightest from what I gather from his reminiscences about those days. I wish I’d asked him where and under what circumstances he procured this sword. Among other things after his death his grandson and I learned he had been born Jewish despite never speaking about his family origins and claiming polish Catholicism for the last 60 years of his life. Interesting character...

Rotated the pics. Any other sorts of photos I could provide that would be useful? Yes I'm taking a close look at it and there is not a visible Yokote... Is this the result of overpolishing at some point in its life?

I was recently given this Nihonto which thanks to the gentleman over in the “Military Blades” section I’ve learned was mounted in sadly abused Manchukuo Naval Shore Patrolman fittings. Can anyone tell me more about the blade? My friend has asked me to sell it for him and as intriguing and interesting as I find Nihonto (I’m a long time lurker here) I’ve got enough expensive and niche hobbies as it is. Any insight is much appreciated. Thanks! Reid

Thanks for all the replies. I took the blade out of the civilian fittings and spent about an hour rubbing it with a cotton rag and a little clove oil. It doesn’t appear to be in nearly as rough shape as I’d initially assessed. I’ll post some photos just of this blade on the nihonto section tomorrow.

Am I correct that the cherry blossom/Sakura badge on the back strap of the “police” sword is indicative of a military sword? Might this have belonged to an MP or civilian policeman working with the military in some fashion?

Thanks to all who gave these a look. Here are some more photos. To my surprise the scabbard and blade match on the cavalry saber.

I recently was given two swords that I believe are a Type 25 cavalry saber and a civilian officials sword from the late 19th or early 20th century. I plan to sell them but does anyone have a good idea of value? Thanks! Reid A.