What type of sword is this and what type of value. I have a chance to purchase it.

[Jasonk]

I have a friend that has this sword he is wanting to sell. He said it’s some type of admirals sword. What is it and what type of value does it have?

[Jasonk]

Here are the pictures of it. Sorry.

[ChrisW]

I believe its called a Colonial Occupation Sword, mostly made for IJA occupation forces in Korea/Manchuria. Can't speak to the value as there's a lot of variability in these blades. Did you get a close look at the nakago (tang)? Looking at that might help more with possible identifying marks/stamps. There is a peg in the grip that can be removed gently and the whole assembly should come apart.

[Mark]

it is a navy officers sword. this type was replaced \by the Ka iGunto in about 1936 so it dates from before then. Not sure about rank of the officer. Hard to say value from the pictures, it looks like there may be damage to the tip? maybe the point is broken?  Should be worth $1500+ but if a good restore able blade possibly a lot more.

[Bruce Pennington]

Seems like I'm always on the road when these come out, and don't have access to my Dawson book! Anyone have a reference?

 

It's truly a gorgeous piece. I, too, would love to see the nakago (tang) if you wouldn't mind taking the handle off and getting some good pics. It won't harm anything to do so.

[zook]

1883 series Naval sword ... looks like the more common 9 leaf design (per Dawson's) which means sword could belong to a petty officer or commissioned officer (non-flag rank)  and of course if nakago is signed ... it may have big impact on value.    VERY NICE find!   …. I have been looking for one like this.     Dan 

[Bruce Pennington]

Thanks Dan!

 

Jason,

I tried to get a look at the backstrap of the handle. It seems there is a family mon (crest) on it. Also, a good picture of it would tell us quite a bit of the "rank" the sword was made for, as general officer backstraps have quite a bit of elaborate decoration.

[Stegel]

Agree with Mark on this,

confirmed by looking into Dawsons... here's the references Bruce.

 

1883 Naval Officers sword for ensigns to captains.

From the OP's pics, it appears to be a 9 leaf variant, not 11.

Not sure what the difference is though.

 

The blossom is not the Plum Blossom from Manchurian usage but a Japanese Cherry Blossom.

The Plum has round petals, while the Cherry has notches at the end of the petals.

 

[Stegel]

Sorry, didn't see Dan's reply.

 

Bruce, i think in this model, the Admiral's sword is completely different, saya and all.

[lonely panet]

I posted one flag sword here in the past..

 

Do the search and compare, in replacements of the cherry blossom there will be a kiri mon.

[Bruce Pennington]

Thanks Stegel! Jason's looks exactly like that one in Dawson! It even has the same sharkskin on the saya. I expect we'll see the same backstrap when Jason posts the pics.

 

By the text description of the tassel attachment, this one is likely "1901 or later."

[PNSSHOGUN]

One of the most splendid military swords used, especially with an old blade.

[luisboni]

Wow thats an amazing piece. Go for it!

[Tom Darling]

I would love to take a peek at the tang to  determine if signed. Also, measure length of the (cutting edge) blade. Can you take a pic.of (kissaki) blade point. The hamon looks very interesting. Thank you.  Peace.

 

 

Tom D.