Where to find an expert authenticator pre-sale? (west coast US)

[SonoSam]

We found a sword in the ceiling while getting ready for some renovations.

What we've discovered from Reddit and other discussion pages is that this looks like a Kai Gunto, a Japanese naval officer’s sword from around early World War II. On the tang, there’s blue writing that says “896,” which might just be an assembly lot number or something added later as an inventory number after the war. The tang is also signed “Shimada Yoshisuke Saku,” which means it was made by Yoshisuke from Shimada. There’s also a stamp on it, though we’re not sure exactly what it is, probably some kind of arsenal mark.

We are hoping to get it authenticated and an estimated value, but finding a sword expert is proving harder than we thought. (located in Oregon) 

 

Can you suggest where we might go to get it authenticated so we can sell? 

[Scogg]

Hello @SonoSam from Oregon; I am also a Sam from Oregon 

As far as I am aware, there are not any Japanese Sword Experts in our state. 

 

I am going to relocate your forum topic to the "military swords of Japan" section, because I think you will get better feedback there, especially about that stamp. Can't say I've seen that stamp before. 

I live nearish the Portland area, and I travel down to Eugene and Central Oregon very frequently. If you'd like me to take a look at your sword, let me know, and we can schedule something. 

For what it's worth, I am not currently buying swords, so fear not that I have any ulterior motives. 
Let me know,
-Sam

[Rawa]

@Bruce Pennington which stamp is that?

[Toryu2020]

The sword is signed SHIMADA YOSHISUKE SAKU or "Made by Shimada Yoshisuke" a well known smith who did not work during the war rather this signature is an homage so the soldier can carry a famous name into battle. The stamp is a SEKI stamp and means the blade was not traditionally made. Even so there will be interest for a sword like this in this condition...

 

-t

[Rawa]

7 minutes ago, Toryu2020 said:

The sword is signed SHIMADA YOSHISUKE SAKU or "Made by Shimada Yoshisuke" a well known smith who did not work during the war rather this signature is an homage so the soldier can carry a famous name into battle. The stamp is a SEKI stamp and means the blade was not traditionally made. Even so there will be interest for a sword like this in this condition...

 

-t

@Bruce Penningtonwrote some time ago that he have 3/4 blades with yoshisuke mei stamped. I would estkmate value of this at 1,5-2k$ due to nice, complete kai gunto mount with sarute and tassel. Just this tsukamaki...

[Bruce Pennington]

Hi Sam!

You've done some good research already.  Shimada was his first name, not a location:

"YOSHISUKE (義助), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Yoshisuke” (義助), real name Shimada Ruisuke (島田類助), he was a Seki-based guntō smith"

 

The larger Seki stamp, like yours, was a civilian inspection/acceptance stamp of the Seki Cutlery Manufacturers Association.  It was used from 1940 to 1944, with most dated blades made in 1942.  So that is your date range.  I've personally found that blades with the stamp were very well made, with attractive hamon (temper pattern), but not traditionally made.  Marcin's estimated value is probably pretty close to the current market pricing.

[Bruce Pennington]

59 minutes ago, Scogg said:

Can't say I've seen that stamp before.

The seki stamp was done side-ways, and only the top half punched in well.

 

Interesting to some of us, the only other Yoshisuke I have, posted by @skip, had the painted number "898" - two blades away from this one in the assembly process!  I don't have photos of the fittings, but it would be interesting to find out if it was a kaigunto.

 

 

Here's his post.  Unfortunately, he hasn't been online since 2019:

 

[Scogg]

I see it now, thank you@Bruce Pennington! 
 

I was scrounging the stamps document for something hourglass shaped .

Anyway, let me know @SonoSam if you’d like someone to get eyes on it. Otherwise, I have no doubt that it’s genuine, and with the combination of input here and from Chris Bowen on Facebook - you’ve got the best info available . 

 

All the best,

-Sam 

 

[John C]

6 hours ago, SonoSam said:

estimated value,

Sam:

One additional bit of information. If the all-brown tassel is original, it's a definite plus and would add a decent amount to the value.

John C.

[Trenchnut]

Same sword is posted in the Nihonto section by Dante.  

Edit: Thought that someone was pulling the wool over our eyes, but this is a owner/buyer thingy! 

[Scogg]

Hi @Dante Gambino, I deleted the post in the Nihonto section, because the information on this sword can be found here.

Best of luck,

-Sam