davidmorgan8426 Posted May 28, 2015 Report Posted May 28, 2015 I would very much like your help in identifying and placing a value on a sword that belongs to a friend of mine. He is an old cowboy here on the central coast of California that doesn't have two nickels to rub together; he lives in a horse trailer, doesn't have a computer, and rides a 31 year old horse. He wants to sell a couple of Japanese swords he inherited from his father to buy a new horse and continue working cows. The sword in question was rescued by his father from a pile of Japanese arms that were ordered destroyed while he served in Japan shortly after the close of WW2. The sword is 27 & 3/8" long from the tip of the blade to the notch just forward of the handguard. There are no visible cracks in the blade although there is some surface pitting/corrosion in a few spots. The scabbard has brown paint that is peeling in many places. Darcy Brockbank from your group was able to read the first part as "Soshu ju Suke ..." but was unable to read the last part of the inscription on the tang and suggested I post to your message board for help. I appreciate any help that can be offered regarding the identification of this sword and would also like any suggestions about where to best sell it for my friend. Thank your very much. David Morgan Santa Maria, CA 805-878-1992 cell phone Quote
raaay Posted May 28, 2015 Report Posted May 28, 2015 hi David I will take a quick stab at the smiths name, IT could be Suke Nobu , and pending on the date of the blade and verification of the signature and good condition of the blade , it may be worth a couple of hind legs of a horse !! of course I have no idea what a horse is worth ? I just a had a quick look at your photo's of the blade there may be an issue about the sword can take a full polish and be fully restored with the existing rust etc. and it does look a little tired. Quote
Brian Posted May 28, 2015 Report Posted May 28, 2015 Agreed. Led a bit of a hard life, and the open grain could even be a sign of retempering. Lots of grain there peeking out. But it is a katana, and an early one. So I guess he should be able to get $1200 to $1500 for it, even as an iaito. How does that fit into horse matters? Brian Quote
Stephen Posted May 28, 2015 Report Posted May 28, 2015 http://theethicsofequinerescue.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-grim-facts-horsemeat-and-what-its.html Quote
davidmorgan8426 Posted May 29, 2015 Author Report Posted May 29, 2015 Thank you all for responding. In case I didn't mention it, I know absolutely nothing about swords. Can anyone tell me what the inscription on the tang reads, its meaning, and your best guess as to the age of the blade? Also, where would you recommend I go to sell this thing to get the best price? E-bay? classifieds on your message board? A sword show? If I do post it for sale, what is the proper terminology to use? I will present any and all offers to my friend if anyone is interested. Thanks, again for your assistance. David Morgan Santa Maria, CA USA davidmorgan8426@aol.com 805-878-1992 cell P.S. $1200-$1500 is about one third of the way to a new horse! Quote
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