I know nothing about this sword I got from my grandfather.

[Omonogo]

I got this sword my grandfather, it seems to be a Japanese sword from WW2 (I'm guessing) and was hoping that some of you can help me know more about it.

 

Anything and everything informative would be nice. Some things I'd enjoy knowing about this would be:

 

• What the blade is made of
  What the hilt is made of
  Where its from
  Who it belonged to
  How many are still circulating (estimate)
  How much it is worth
  Tips to keep it preserved
  Anything else would be appreciated

 

Thanks a lot for your time, I really appreciate it

 

Here are some pictures:

• 
  

https://imageshack.com/i/nfq0k5j
https://imageshack.com/i/n7ktwlj
https://imageshack.com/i/nencq3j
https://imageshack.com/i/ne9i9wj

 

 

 

Ryan S

[obiwanknabbe]

Hi Omonogo,

 

Welcome to the forum.

First, as per board rules, please be sure to sign all of your posts with at least your first name and last initial. That way we can address you more personally.

 

Now for the blade in question:

Well at first glance it appears that you have a sword in Kai Gunto mounts and in pretty good condition.

It is Japanese (or so it appears... There are many fakes out there but Im not saying that this is one)

Where it is from cannot be determined from the pictures you provided. We would need to see the Nakago as there are sometimes stamps or Mei which can answer that question for you.

Who owned it? No way to know unless the sword came with a surrender tag or it was a custom order with the owners name inscribed (very rare).

$$$$????? No way to know at present.

Tips on preservation... now thats easy. Get yourself a sword maintenance kit (they are usually pretty inexpensive) and oil the blade once in a while. Wipe it clean. Here is a link http://www.nihontomessageboard.com/faq.html

 

Beyond that, it is impossible to answer your questions in any detail without more, very clear, up close pictures of the blade and its Nakago (tang). If you remove the pin, the tsuka (handle) should slide off with just a few taps.

 

The members of this board, myself included, would be delighted to help you gain a deeper understanding of your sword. Just post up some very clear images and we will see what we can do. Here is a link detailing photographing techniques http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=5740

 

Regarding the pictures you did post, I will pose the question to the rest of the members here; Have any of you seen lacquer underneath the Ito before? It seems like something that would have been done on naval mounts ( I have seen plastic samegawa) but I have not come across this before.

 

Best Regards,

 

Kurt.K

[nagamaki - Franco]

A place to begin http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/nihonto.htm

[Omonogo]

Well, I opened up the tsuka and it looks like a disappointing find to me: https://imageshack.com/i/neo586j

 

 

To my knowledge, this makes me think its a fake (looks like its paper pressed or paint). However I'm still not really convinced that it was fake, the blade and tsuka makes it look very convincing.

 

Anyone else?

 

 

Ryan S

[leo]

It is a Kaigunto(naval military sword).

Looks like a stainless steel blade, not traditionally made, but closeups from blade and a picture of the whole tang would help.

If you open the leather cover carefully, there might be the original saya underneath, either shark skin or black laquer.

 

Martin

[zentsuji2]

Welcome Ryan

 

No such things as disappointing in history, especially if family are involved.

Looks like stainless steel,as already mentioned, but this was expensive, and useful when the Japanese marines,navy used them.

A stint in humidity for a traditional forged blade, could be it's end.

You hold in your hand a piece of family history from the last war of its kind.

Look it up,check the mounts see if rayskin is present,check everywhere and you will see its a bit less disappointing, just the Japanese trying out methods of rust control.

Enjoy and embrace your heirloom, as a lot were hard fought for.

Good luck, and you might get hooked on a fascinating hobby.

Best regards. Ian Bellis

 

 

Where did your grandfather Serve?How long ago did you first see it,fakes were less frequent, when swords were, let's say easier to come by,and a lot cheaper.

I hope it's real,and you have family history.

As to rarity, naval swords are harder to come by than army swords, ie 1 navy sword to 10 army swords, just a ratio I was given years ago when I bought a kai Gunto by tsukushi yoshi haru.

Good luck Ryan