Jasonk Posted December 29, 2019 Report Posted December 29, 2019 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? Quote
Jasonk Posted December 29, 2019 Author Report Posted December 29, 2019 Here are the pictures of it. Sorry. 2 Quote
ChrisW Posted December 29, 2019 Report Posted December 29, 2019 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. Quote
Mark Posted December 29, 2019 Report Posted December 29, 2019 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. Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted December 29, 2019 Report Posted December 29, 2019 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. Quote
zook Posted December 30, 2019 Report Posted December 30, 2019 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 1 Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted December 30, 2019 Report Posted December 30, 2019 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. Quote
Stegel Posted December 30, 2019 Report Posted December 30, 2019 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. Quote
Stegel Posted December 30, 2019 Report Posted December 30, 2019 Sorry, didn't see Dan's reply. Bruce, i think in this model, the Admiral's sword is completely different, saya and all. Quote
lonely panet Posted December 30, 2019 Report Posted December 30, 2019 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. Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted December 30, 2019 Report Posted December 30, 2019 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." Quote
PNSSHOGUN Posted December 30, 2019 Report Posted December 30, 2019 One of the most splendid military swords used, especially with an old blade. 1 Quote
luisboni Posted December 30, 2019 Report Posted December 30, 2019 Wow thats an amazing piece. Go for it! Quote
Tom Darling Posted December 31, 2019 Report Posted December 31, 2019 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. Quote
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