Unidentified sword

[Macadaciouse]

This sword has been very divisive among those who see it; I've had an even number of people dismiss it as a forgery as confirm it as authentic. Now, without a doubt the wood fittings are modern, but the blade itself shows a visible grain, a strong convex shape and as you run a (gloved) hand along the blade, you can feel small irregularities and waves which could only come from forging.

I would say the tsuba etc. all pre-date the sword; from the condition of the tang I would probably guess the sword is WWII-vintage, though the tang may have been cleaned and/or tampered with in a Chinese chop shop (it shows file marks along the edges, but at the same time there are a few blackened divets that to me look like the marks of a cross-peen hammer made during forging. Side note, I've been a practicing blacksmith and welder for several years now.)

The blade has become cloudy, but I would hesitate to say it needs a new "polish" unless by polish you mean an electric buffer and some jeweler’s rouge. As per the history of the sword in my possession, I bought it as a toy on the internet for one cent ($80 shipping from China I didn't see until it was too late). Any opinions on the quality/history of the sword? Would it take a full polishing to retrieve the luster of a proper blade? Is it only a paperweight? Thank you all for any opinions you may have, I'll post more pictures of the tsuba in the appropriate forum.

[Macadaciouse]

Pictures you can hopefully see from your browser, because nobody likes downloading files...

[shan]

Hi,

I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news but i think that you know what i am going to say next.

Its a Fake.

The kissaki is a very poor shape ,the habaki is poor and the jigane is poor ,the nakago is very poor and the whole thing just has the look and feel of recent chinese or similar forgery with no understanding of sugata at all.IMHO

If you ever actually own or see a real Japanese sword you will understand what i am saying.

Whilst not an expert on tsuba i feel that i could spot a fake/modern piece easily.I feel the tsuba is not real either.

However,we all have to start somewhere.

Have a look at these images i have posted closely and you will see the levels of craftsmanship (and this sword is not a particularily high grade example).

regards and sorry

shan

 

[Thekirsh]

Sorry, but it is 100% fake.

 

Simon

[zuiho]

Hello,

 

Yes, the whole piece is a fake. The good thing, though ,is that it brought you to this site. Check out the links to informational sites.

There is a wealth of info there. Also, by owning a fake you know now what one looks like. They all are pretty much like this.

The military inspired fakes can be difficult to spot, sometimes, as the Chinese are getting good at copying the mounts. The blades

are all crap, though. That uneven surface you detected with a glove is not a sign of age but of incompetence. Sadly, such poor surfaces

can be found on genuine Japanese blades and you want to stay away from those, too.

If you want a genuine Japanese sword, beaters start around $300, decent WW2 military swords start around $700. A genuine antique

"Samurai" sword can be had in decent condition and mounts starting around $1500, with luck. Others may say that is too low but I have

seen examples recently.

Losing $80 to a fake in this hobby is not so bad as a learning experience. Certain Books on the subject often cost twice as much.

 

Anyway, Good luck

 

William G.

[Macadaciouse]

Well damn, I feel like an ass. Thanks everybody, it's not too much of a loss; I bought the sword in high school anyway, I think it's excusable.

[Gabriel L]

Well damn, I feel like an ass.

...Because you couldn't discern what takes most people a significant period of dedicated study and exposure (via the right sources and authentic examples) to gain a sense for? Don't.

Thanks everybody, it's not too much of a loss; I bought the sword in high school anyway, I think it's excusable.

Of course it is excusable!! It's not just excusable, it's to be expected of absolutely anyone who has not already developed a certain amount of knowledge in this specialized subject. And a SLO ("sword-like object") like this isn't necessarily a total wash... it can have sentimental value, steal-able decor value, or teaching value in stressing READ & LEARN before BUY.

 

FWIW, I concur 100% that it's fake. Really no question about it. Check out this page for a good primer on this particular subject (cheap fakes).

 

Much more importantly, it has, as has already been pointed out, brought you to this forum - and I can tell you that as far as the online English-language nihonto scene goes, it doesn't get any better than here. Welcome to the NMB, and I hope you stick around! :-)

 

Cheers,

-GLL

 

PS - the one thing you may feel free to "feel like an ass" about is falling for the old eBay "low price, high shipping" scam. :lol: