Need help Identifying and Worth

[DravenLadd]

Hey guys,

I have gotten a hold of a sword that I think is a 1945 nco wood handle Japanese sword. From the research that I have done, and my very limited knowledge, it seems real.  I need help confirming and also figuring out its worth. Thanks

 

here is a link to the pictures

 

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1OMA4u4iu2wg5vik5VQ3g2jt1re4C_noq?usp=sharing

 

 

also I have some questions on another WWII officers sword. Sword was signed by Muneyoshi. I talked to someone from MIlitaryItems.com and they said the blade looks 1500s. I could not get them to answer back after the initial identification. If you could help with that swords identification and worth as well it would be appreciated. Here is that link for the pictures

 

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1kWwODCZECQIYdjNp8s0SvDF7z986pcan?usp=sharing

[vajo]

I cant see any pictures without a account of google.

 

Please copy and paste you pictures in the thread

[Bruce Pennington]

Same here, and I have a Google account.  All I could do was click "request entry" or some such wording. 

 

Posting the pics is always the best route.  4 years from now when someone is searching for items like you're talking about, the links are often dead.  Posted pics are here for posterity.

[DravenLadd]

thats weird. I set it to anyone can view with the link

[DravenLadd]

[DravenLadd]

lol it wont let me upload any more

[DravenLadd]

[DravenLadd]

[DravenLadd]

[DravenLadd]

and here are some pictures of the muneyoshi sword

 

Muneyoshi 宗吉 

[DravenLadd]

[DravenLadd]

[DravenLadd]

[DravenLadd]

[DravenLadd]

The links should work now I believe also.

[16k]

First sword is indeed a late NCO sword.

 

Second one looks old indeed but you’ll have to post pictures of the blade without Habaki, flat, and seen from above so we can judge the age better. It is suriage. Can’t say much more for the moment. Hamon seems to have Mino influence and looks Koto. Hard to say more.

[vajo]

1. Late stage NCO sword

2. old sword in Typ98 Koshirae. The sword looks interesting. Could be Shinto or older.  Tassel is field captain. I cant read the signature here in my phone.

[DravenLadd]

This is what I got from MilitaryItems.com

Muneyoshi 宗吉 

"This sword is signed Muneyoshi.  The blade has been shortened several inches a long time ago so I can't tell if it is still katana length (cutting edge greater than 24 inches).  The blade looks like it has some good age to it.  It looks mid muromachi period at first glance (1500 or earlier).  

 

There were 60 or so makers that used the name Muneyoshi dating as far back as 1190 on up to the mid 1800s.   It is hard to tell which is the exact sword smith  from the photos."

 

 

I just dont know how to figure out which Muneyoshi it is. , and if he was actually right in his assessment. The blade is for sure Katana length though.

[DravenLadd]

here is some stamping on the tsuba. the same stamp is on every piece around the tsuba as well

[DravenLadd]

[DravenLadd]

[Rivkin]

The Munyoshi is an interesting one. There is some age to the nakago, and overall nijimei signatures were not terribly common during the Edo period. The hamon with considerable width and small gunome or choji like features likely means Bizen or Muromachi Mino. I believe the second option is more likely, if only based on the probability alone. Better pictures would be much more helpful (more shots with hamon, overall view from a side etc.), but tentatively Mino from circa 1500 is a possibility.

 

Kirill R.

[DravenLadd]

[16k]

Gunto tsuba is early and usually the kind you find on quality swords. As for the blade, I would agree with the comment for Mid-Muromachi.

[DravenLadd]

Any idea of what each sword might be worth?

[vajo]

Nick

 

The nco sword between $800 - $1000

I think your blade is a muromachi Katana. So i would go something between $2.000 and $2.200 (needs a polish)

[DravenLadd]

thanks for the info

 

[Bruce Pennington]

The emblem at the top of the tsuba is of the Suya Shoten Co, a quality company that had a long history, good article on them HERE.

 

I don't follow the 4 versions of the late-war Type 95, but I believe the prices have recovered from the COVID slump, and those were going for over $1,400 at the time.