suwanneetrader

Thank you to all who answered. I had seen the new $10 ones and just thought this might be old as was better made. Thanks again. Still wondering if some of my old friends are still living/ Good health to all Richard

The reason I need one of them for help is what I think is an older Japanese practice sword a Priest gave to a neighbor years ago. Here is a couple of pics: I have more. Richard

10 and 20 years ago I found a few GOOD swords. I'm over 80 now and don't go to shows but still collect older (mostly WWI & WWII USMC) I was lucky I found my password for this site. There was a very nice guy (who I believe owned a furniture store in Mich or Minn) that helped me and bought a few swords. So I'm trying to recall him also Troy Baxley or Keith Hostler or Roy Strohacker. Maybe they are still around and posting on here. I believe someone who went to Tampa Show told me Troy had lost his eyesight. Thank you Richard Marquette

Well --- No one wanted to express an opinion on value so I just guessed at $595 - $695. and traded it for a marked 1918-19 USMC green wool tunic and pants with ribbons and sgt. majors chevrons. I'm happy and I think the trader is also; so that is all OK as we helped each other's collections. Once again Thanks to you all and I'll see you as soon as I find another Japanese sword. Also Grey: No more me taking on to help someone sell a possible National Treasure sword as that did not work out for either of us! Just helped the so and so who made promises and then took advantage of my contacts and your knowledge. Best Wishes and Happy Father's Day Richard

Well different opinions, and I thankyou for them. Some think it is old, some think it is partially old (the hardware "for lack of the real words") and no opinions as to value. I will decide what I will list it for in your for sale section tomorrow, Saturday. The machine made 1930's - 40's military swords, that up until approx 5 years ago I could not get $200.00 for, are now bringing 2 + X's that amaze me. But I will figure out a good profit for me and quote a selling price. Thank-you Richard

I know Brian wants poster's to say if they intend to sell the sword shown. Whenever I get a Japanese sword I always post it on this forum first and after I find out about it as well as approx. value I then offer it "FIRST" to members of this forum. I hope to trade this for WWI USMC item or sell it and I will not quote anyones opinion from here without asking first! Ed Marshall, Grey Doffin and Ted Tenold and others have been nice to me in the past. Thanks Richard Marquette the old retired guy in FL

Last pics unless you want more of the blade. Thanks Richard

More pics Richard

Some of you know that I collect WWII and earlier USMC, mostly from vet's families, so I get 2 or 3 Japanese swords a year. Many of you, especially Grey Doffin have been helpful. So here is one I just got with capture papers and Discharge of Army T/5 Melvin Stinnett, Anti-Aircraft Art. Battery. His service of about 3 1/2 years included 3 Battle Stars for action in the Solomons and Liberation Philippines. His nephew says the sword was acquired along with a pistol and binoculars in the Philippines or Fiji Islands. I have alot of photos but will try to only post enough so you can tell me about the sword. (sorry but I can't remember all the Japanese words for sword parts). It has a 2 hole tang that I see no markings on. The only Japanese characters are on the iron tsuba. The length from blade point tip to top of sword handle is 37 1/2 inches. From the point to the top of the tang is 33 3/8 inches. The engraving looks like the body of a dragon on one side with the tail carried over to the other side. The cap on the top of the handle as well as the metal part around the handle's base have inlay and are fancy. I hope the photos tell the rest of the story. Thanks for you input. Richard the old retired guy in FL.

Curran: I tried to send you a PM (private message) It shows in my outbox but I do not know if you got it or if I am doing it correctly.

:D Thanks everyone especially Grey and Steve I'll keep looking for those WWII vet bring homes and let the forum know. Please let me know if you find any Marine uniforms, insignia or medals before WWII. Richard

STEVE: Thanks for taking the time, I will try your suggestions next time I try to photograph tang markings. Is it usual for a blade to have different kind of short grooves on each side of the blade? From what has been said the blade is approx 300 + years old. The maker's marks Kunitsugu or Kuniyuki are probably counterfeit, but old, and the blade is in poor condition. Is this as you understand the remarks to this posting? Of course the big question is can I get $350.00 + for it? Thanks for your help. PS: I do not collect Japanese swords but sometimes get them that vets brought home. I collect older Marine Corp items, maybe I can trade it. Richard Marquette an old retired guy in Florida

Jacques: Here is an overall shot. I can not remove the habaki it is rusted and frozen to blade. I tried soaking in WD40 and tapping but it started to dent the edge so I left alone. Also there is a possibility that the tang was broken near the middle hole and repaired a long long time ago.Richard

JOHN: Requested a whole upright photo of Nakago: Hope this is better Richard

I'm sorry if I have posted too many pics, but last time I was told not enough. So, I'm trying to do better. Richard

I hope these photos do not post twice.

More Ogawa/Shonts sword pics:

Hello Brian and others who helped me with Kuniyoshi Marine Raider bring home. Last week the owner was in the hospital and it looks like he is going to donate all of Col. Lamb's items to the museum in Quantico. I hope they display the items and some big shot doesn't wind up with the sword. This past Sun, at the Flea Market, a couple who had purchased a sword, etc. in Michigan from the son of a vet who died had the sword I need info on (they have promised to get more information for me). The vet named Shonts made friends with a Ogawa (possibly in the Philippines) and Shonts was trying to find a Japanese sword to bring home. Ogawa told him he had a blade and would make the tsuba, wooden storage case, etc. You will note the handle and iron tsuba have both their names on them. The blade is 35 1/4" long and has a 7" blood groove on one side and two parallel incised lines 7 1/4" long on the other side. The temperline is visible in the sunlight and is narrow. The tang has 3 or 4 characters but only the first is easy to see. ( I've taken 5 photos in different light conditions to help you see them). The blade has rust and stains but not deep pits nor any splits or edge nicks. It has been carefully cleaned at sometime, but not abusively. I have photos of both sides of the blade, the point, the top ridge, tang, back end of tang, etc. 35 in all, but I will only upload one with this message and then 5 or so later as last night I tried to upload 6 with this message and site went down or ? and I lost everything. I hope pics are good enough so someone can make a probable maker, date and if I paid too much at $200.00 ( I did not want to let this one get away, so I got brave Ha HA.). Thanks and see my next post for some more photos. Richard the old retired guy in Florida

I almost forgot-----A Happy Healthy THANKSGIVING to all. For those of you who are not in US and celebrating this Holiday, Please know that I wish you and yours Health and Happy days, every day and PEACE to us all.

I appreciate those who helped, made suggestions and offers, etc. re: Kuniyoshi sword brought back by a Carlson's Raider from WWII. Brian, Grey, Simon, Ed, James, Ted, Shan, and others. You helped educate me, but even after I copied your e-mails and some of the posts for the man the Raider gave his collection to, he became even more unreceptive, or in his words "confused and would not consider a sale when confused". He said his friend told him years ago, that the sword was about 700 years old and very, very valuable. Therefore when the e-mails and $2,000.00 wouldn't impress him, I decided to just let him cool for awhile. If he finds someone to give him Thousands of $'s for it more power to him. He did not understand how big a word "COULD BE" is in your hobby. As a correction to my description: I said 27 1/8 " blade, I should have said cutting edge as the tang was not included in the 27 1/8". Once again thanks for the courteous help. I promise if anything additional happens you will be the first to know. Richard L. Marquette Past Pres. Florida Gun Collectors 1970's etc. (No more secret my last name, Shan will like that Ha Ha.

:D Shan: Apology accepted and I do understand. Hope you have a good day and fun collecting, as I have for the past 50 years. Richard M.

Brian Thank-you for your kindness. I have a few e-mails offering $1,000.00, I will show the emails, and offer the executor (I do not believe he was court appointed just the very best friend and neighbor to whom the old Marine left alot of things) $2,000.00 for the sword and other items as he has refused to price anything. If he says once again "I have to think about it", then I will ask him if I can post his name and phone number on this forum and when he sells trust he gives me the other items and/or a commission. If I do get this sword, no matter what it turns out to be, some people on this site will be very very welcome to look, etc. and some I care not to associate with no matter the $ value. I have collected and studied American ANTIQUE Weapons but after I retired my son's neighbor offered me a German Luger and as I had not been able to afford to keep any I found when I was helping to raise 8 children, I thought I would like to have it. He, like this man, wanted an offer. I went on the Lugerforum web site and found out alot about it and its fairly scarce variation due to unit markings, etc. They were all extremely nice and from all over the world. None of them felt I was trying to do something shady, but I guess every club has to have at least one. I agree buyers should be careful but don't say someone is trying to cheat you when you were not asked to buy in the first place. I did not and still do not know if this is a $1,000. - $10,000. or a $100,000.00 item and I did not expect to get a free appraisal, especially with a few poor photos, just some guidance and to those who have offered guidance I THANK-YOU. I did not give my last name as I do not want to have some so and so do bad things to me or my identity, if you know any old time collectors in FL or KY, shooters at the NMLRA, or Political Action ProGun workers at NRA-ILA. many know me. Thank-you and Good Health for you and yours. Richard L. M

Your posts are interesting but I being not knowledgable in your hobby do not understand most of it. As far as my ID and being honorable person. My name is Richard M. I was President of Florida Gun Collectors in the 70's. and secretary for approx 12 years. I'm 70 years old. My wife is Ojibwe Indian from Canada, so we collect American Indian and USMC WWI thru Korean War. I have knowledge of American Federal Period swords, not Japanese. Before selling my collection in late 90's I had the largest, most complete collection of swords by Nathan Starr as well as other weapons by the Starr Family. I buy and sell militaria items to supplement my retirement. The executor was the best friend of the deceased raider, who retired as a Marine Corp. officer, and who told him this blade was 700 years old and valuable. Therefore as the executor is financially very secure he does not seem in a hurry to sell and seems to be using me to do the leg work, etc. on getting him a fair price but, I have found him not willing to commit himself to what he thinks is fair. Therefore we all, myself included, maybe waisting our time, but I will try for awhile longer. The blade is 27 1/8" long and the handle is approx 9 1/2" long. The sword is no longer in my possession so no more photos at this time. I will post two that did not seem to be as clear as those you have. Thanks for reading, I'm not a crook !!

Thank-you I will continue to look at replies and tomorrow or the next day I will try to contact the executor, if I can not work out something maybe I can let you know and anyone in your group can contact him direct. The items I want are worth approx. $1,000.00 but he insists this sword has to go also. Thank-you Richard an old retired guy in FL

I know just a little about Japanese swords. I collect USMC items especially WWI and WWII. This sword is not like the NCO ones I have had with metal scabbard, showa stamp, etc. It was brought back by a member of Carlson's Raiders. The blade is approx. 27 1/8" long, it is not rusted, stained or nicked, but the wavy temper lines I can not see. The handle is approx 9 1/2" long. The guard seems to be solid silver and the cranes on each side of the hilt gold. I only see markings on one side of the 2 holed tang (there is a 3rd smaller hole near the top tip of the tang). I hope I load the photos correctly. I believe your terms allow only three photos so, I will show an overall, the tang markings and the silver guard, plus any others site will allow. Would someone tell me who made it, when and ballpark value. It is in an estate and I only want the documented raider items, but I have to buy all offered items to get the one or two I want to keep. Therefore help me and I will try to see this item goes to one of you collectors (that is if it is worthy of your collection???) I do not know but think it is an old blade.