Second Opinions

[BattlePenguin]

Hello all. I'm new around here, and need some help identifying a sword. I made a post on a different discussion board, and they directed me here for a more detailed opinion.

 

I received a sword a while ago, but have never been able to confidently ID it. Any help with ID (or help finding someone who could help restore it) would be much appreciated.

 

Link to photos:

https://cubeupload.com/codes/ab274e

 

Photos include (probably not in order):

Wide shot of sword in scabbard
Wide shot outside of scabbard
Closeup of tang
Closeup of tip of blade
Various closeups of the blade near the tang. (The ones habaki in the middle show both sides [flipped sword])

 

Other notes:
The sword was in this condition when I got it. I have not polished, removed, added etc. anything.

It is 35 1/4 inches from tip to tip, and the blade by itself (not including tang and habaki) is 27 1/2 inches.

Both the blade and tang are magnetic.

[Brian]

Well...it's a real antique Japanese katana. Likely a few hundred years old. In that condition, it's hard to really say much more about it.

[Scogg]

Hi Carmine, welcome to the forum!
For what it's worth, I am not an expert; I'm just a collector/enthusiast. 

Your sword appears to be UBU (original length), SHINOGI-ZUKURI (general shape), and MUMEI (unsigned). Based on it's subtle curvature and general profile, my guess would be shinto period - perhaps KANBUN SHINTO (1661-1673) or whereabouts. 

Unfortunately the condition is poor, and seeing any activity in the steel may not be possible. Brian beat me to it, and like he said, it's hard to say much about it.

A great book to begin your journey into Nihonto is: "The Connoisseur's book of Japanese Swords by Kokan Nagayama".
All the best,
-Sam

[BattlePenguin]

Well, dang! I honestly didn't expect it to be that old. For reference, the guy I got it from claimed it was pulled from a downed plane during WW2.

 

Thanks for the info and recommendation guys. Is there any way I could get it polished/refurbished, or is it too far gone?

[Rivkin]

Last two images I think show kesho yasurime which points to shinshinto or later. The blade is more or less straight, with elongated kissaki but no tapering. That could be shinshinto. It can be polished but its not going to be cost effective.

[Infinite_Wisdumb]

1 hour ago, BattlePenguin said:

Well, dang! I honestly didn't expect it to be that old. For reference, the guy I got it from claimed it was pulled from a downed plane during WW2.

 

Thanks for the info and recommendation guys. Is there any way I could get it polished/refurbished, or is it too far gone?

expect to pay over $2000USD for a polishing

[Lewis B]

It appears you have some active rust on the blade so it's a good idea to coat the blade in Choji or Tsubaki oil and every few weeks wipe off the old oil and replace with fresh. That should help to stabilise things. 

[Joseph P.]

Hello Carmine, thanks for posting your sword. 

 

As stated, it is not in ideal condition. It makes it difficult or impossible to judge the quality of the blade. The traits such as the grain of the steel, the hamon (temperline) and the kissaki (point) are mostly obscured. That being said, your blade is actually not in horrible condition. The edge appears to be in good shape with no significant nicks or chips. The nakago (tang) is consistent with rust intact. The shinogi (ridge line) is visible through the whole blade. I do not think it is too far gone for a polish, but it would be expensive (like $100+ an inch).

[BattlePenguin]

Thanks again to everyone for the information and advice. You've all been extremely helpful, definitely good first impressions for the community.

 

I'll start finding that oil immediately, and I'll look for a reputable polisher a little later. Hopefully I can get it restored in a year or two.