Help with identifying this sword

[drb 1643]

Here’s an unusual one. Can anyone help shed some wisdom as to what this is? I was thinking a police sword but I don’t recognize this one. Thank you for any insight.

Tom

[drb 1643]

Some more pictures.

[drb 1643]

And more.

[lonely panet]

wow, 

 

interesting, with out diving into the books im suggesting early meiji police??

[PNSSHOGUN]

Imperial crest signifies something of interest. 

[ChrisW]

Even if its just a special variant of the police type sword, its beautiful.

Maybe a presentation piece to an officer who received an award from the Imperial house?

[Bruce Pennington]

5 hours ago, lonely panet said:

wow, 

 

interesting, with out diving into the books im suggesting early meiji police??

I agree.  Nothing like it in F & G.  You can see on the guard, there are 32 alternating rays with notched ends.  The closest Fuller had was a 32 ray cap emblem for Military and Civil Police full dress uniform, but the pattern was different.  There is a similar patterned 16-ray emblem for Civil police Inspectors (and above?).

 

The kyugunto from this era were widely varied in patterns.  It would not surprise me that there was just as much variation in police sabres.

[drb 1643]

I was also wondering about the signature on the tsuba if that might be a clue as to what this may be.

Tom

[PNSSHOGUN]

Looking closer it is not the imperial crest but still executed very well, I suspect it is a presentation piece for a high ranking or well respected officer. 

[Shugyosha]

I think you may have the guard on upside down. Shouldn’t the quillion? Stop an opponents blade from contacting the sword arm? As it is, it will ride over it. 
 

Looks like an older blade with a Bizen style nakago jiri though. 

[lonely panet]

police badge?? im sure it is

[Bruce Pennington]

@drb 1643, if you don't get a translation here, try over on the Translation Assistance forum.

[SteveM]

守住 = Morisumi. Very late Edo to Meiji artist. Looks like he shifted to saber fittings (out of necessity, no doubt). 

Wakayama doesn't list his gō, but this tsuba says 池南亭 Chinantei.

Kind of an interesting piece that bridges the era of handmade swords and fittings, with the era of more mass-produced and less personalized fittings. 

 

[Michaelr]

Real nice one Tom. I like the other one you posted also. Good luck with both of them and thank you for sharing

      MikeR