Japanese WWll Army Officer`s Sword in Combat Mountings Ikkansei Hiromasa Type 98

[Swords]

I saw this and thought it was a good price it said old polish but to me the hamon doesn’t look right I want to get other opinions 

 

 

Signed :一貫斉廣正（Ikkansei Hiromasa）
The scabbard is wood, no lacquer loss, no dent, no bend and in mint condition. The handle is tightly fit with family mon, tsuka-ito wrapping has no cuts, no loose, no cut and in mint condition.Lock mechanism works not fine. Tsuba, lock pin and seppa are matched number 111 stamped.

In old Polish, Sold as is .

Nagasa:49cm. Sori:1.8cm

Moto-haba:3.25cm . Saki-haba: 2.2cm

Moto-gasane: 0.7cm . Saki-gasane:0.4cm
 

[Ray Singer]

This looks much like a Komonjo-type gimei.

[Swords]

Seems every thing I see is a gimei how about the hamon?

[eternal_newbie]

5 minutes ago, Swords said:

Seems every thing I see is a gimei how about the hamon?

Some worthwhile insights on buying gimei blades by the late, great Darcy Brockbank: https://web.archive.org/web/20201201114903/https://blog.yuhindo.com/gimei/

[Ray Singer]

13 minutes ago, Swords said:

Seems every thing I see is a gimei how about the hamon?

I should clarify, when I gave the feedback above I was not just saying gimei but indicating that the blade itself does not look Japanese (typical for Komonjo and similar sellers).

What type of feedback are you looking for on the hamon? It is notare, and appears to be vacant of hataraki from what I can see in the photos.

[Swords]

Here’s one more I have been looking for a navy cheap enough to get it polished 

provided the smith is good 

call me crazy but a good navy sword are hard to find

 

 

[Swords]

Thanks Ray I would’ve have guessed it’s not Japanese 

 

Thank you 

[Ray Singer]

1 hour ago, Swords said:

Here’s one more I have been looking for a navy cheap enough to get it polished provided the smith is good call me crazy but a good navy sword are hard to find

I don't like to generalize, but these blue-background, cheap auction swords are very, very unlikely to provide you with a sword that is worthwhile to invest in restoration. Cheap swords like this are being sold at auction by dealers on eBay who know what they are selling, and are selling pieces cheaply for a reason. Like the "Original Old BIG Japanese Tachi Sword Signed Hamon Horimono" we discussed earlier, these are items which may look cheap on the surface, but if you look closely the underlying mess of issues makes it clear why the price is what it is and that these are not good candidates to invest in. You are much better off waiting and buying a kai-gunto which already has a blade in good quality Japanese restoration, and if you are patient you are likely to find one for less than it would cost to have a katana polished (along with new shirasaya and all the other restoration-related expenses).

[Brian]

Agree with everything Ray said. Odd and consistent how they get these flat, lifeless hamon (acid enhanced) with zero activity or anything else showing.

[Swords]

I agree with you guys My problem is I can’t travel to shows and end up looking for bargains in the wrong places Now I’m finding out their are no bargains I did buy a sword from a reputable person who was at the sword show in Illinois The sword had issues and took a 2630 dollar bath.

I would rather not use his name Now Im finding out there are no deals and not having it in hand is also risky 

I was able to return the tachi because I though i knew more than I should and got stung 

I am fortunate to have others on the forum who have helped me out and that I am grateful 

 

Steve

 

 

 

 

 

[Ray Singer]

Steve, it is not that there are no deals but rather that it takes a lot of study to identify them. I am glad to hear that you were able to return the tachi. My suggestion is to focus in a serious way on reading good references, and develop a more specific goal for what you would like to purchase. Then research the candidates that fit your goals. Looking for a "navy cheap enough to get it polished" is fairly vague and open-ended. Are you looking for a gendaito in kai-gunto koshirae, or an older sword in the same type of mountings? I would suggest not rushing, take your time to think about what you would like to collect and study legitimate examples (in books, and in-person if possible). You may find that what you thought you wanted in the beginning is not where your collecting goals end up.

[Swords]

Thanks Ray Good information and appreciate your advice I have bought  books but there’s nothing like seeing it in person I don’t know why I have been so reckless lately?

I did buy a nice a navy sword from a guy in France or England Can’t remember which

It was posted about a year ago

I am looking for an older sword in Kai Gunto mounts 

I have sold a couple swords here on the Forum So it’s a good place to venture in. Again good advice 

 

Thanks again