We found a sword in the ceiling while getting ready for some renovations.
What we've discovered from Reddit and other discussion pages is that this looks like a Kai Gunto, a Japanese naval officer’s sword from around early World War II. On the tang, there’s blue writing that says “896,” which might just be an assembly lot number or something added later as an inventory number after the war. The tang is also signed “Shimada Yoshisuke Saku,” which means it was made by Yoshisuke from Shimada. There’s also a stamp on it, though we’re not sure exactly what it is, probably some kind of arsenal mark.
We are hoping to get it authenticated and an estimated value, but finding a sword expert is proving harder than we thought. (located in Oregon)
Can you suggest where we might go to get it authenticated so we can sell?
