Christine

I read an article that said Swords used during WWII were modeled after the original samurai swords but not genuine. After I posted, I found another article that says what you said and made more sense. So I now wish even more that we had those swords just to study the history. My father-in-law only shared the story behind the one sword and now we can’t ask questions as he passed several years ago.

Maybe not appropriate for this forum, but after learning a bit about the matchlock gun my father-in-law acquired in post war Japan, I started watching YouTube videos and surfing the internet for information about his other war stories and memorabilia from the Pacific theater. He at one time had three swords he said were samurai swords he picked up during the battle of Manila. He earned 4 Purple Hearts so saw much battle with the Japanese. One awful story he told was how he came upon a Japanese soldier who had lined up nuns and was beheading them. He shot the soldier and took the sword. He and my husband always thought they were real samurai swords but my reading about them after joining this site reveals they weren’t. Regardless, I wish we still had them. Unfortunately, during his many moves in the military they disappeared.

I would be afraid to even try to disassemble the gun but will suggest it to my husband. Thanks again. As far as cigarettes, you are right. My husband says food was really scarce. Japanese could sell them for a good price on the black market and afford to buy overpriced food products. My husband also says the Japanese didn’t smoke cigarettes the way most do. They would break them into smaller sections and put a piece in a long stemmed pipe to smoke as there would be little waste.

Thank you for so much information! The cross does look like like feathers but I very worn. The gun is also quite heavy. I looked up some history on the Asano clan. Nice to put a story to something that has survived so many years. My husband corrected me though. His dad didn’t buy It. Like many other items he acquired, he paid with a carton of cigarettes. Here are a few more photos and again, thank you!

My husband’s family was in Japan right after 2WWII as part of occupation forces. His dad was an officer so was able to ship a lot of items home. This is the matchlock he bought. Pics online show it is likely 19th century but curious to know more. Not selling. Thanks.