I request assistance identifying a blade from WWII

[MorganRedstone]

Thanks in advance for any assistance, I've been trying to identify this weapon for a while and have gotten conflicting information from 'experts'.  

 

Sword Measurements.

Total length 26.5 inches

Tang length 5.5 inches.

Habaki (blade collar) 1 inch x 1.25 inches.

Tsuba (guard) roughly 3 x 3 inches.  Features wheat as artistic element

 

I can take additional photos of various bits of it as needed.  The fuchi seems to have some gilding on it, as does the kashira.  I think the kashira has a dog.   

 

Any information on this would be incredibly helpful.  Thanks again for any information regarding this weapon.

 

-Morgan

[MorganRedstone]

Forgot the important Tang pictures.

 

-Morgan

[Rawa]

Edo period ubu wakizashi?

[ROKUJURO]

The TSUBA (photo is upside-down) is possibly depicting broadleaf plantain (ÔBAKO / Plantago major).

I like the innovative fixing of the KASHIRA with a slotted screw. 

[ChrisW]

Shame that screw ruined what would have otherwise been a rather nice fuchigashira set. Blade looks to be ubu Shinto. Can't tell much more without evidence of hamon/hada.

[MorganRedstone]

Regarding the Kashira screw; that, unfortunately, is my grandfathers way of securing things in 1946.  

 

I'm going to try to get a picture of the line, it's visible easily when holding it, but hard to photograph.  I tried upping the contrast a bit to show it off more.  

Thanks for all the help already, I really appreciate it. 

 

-Morgan

[MorganRedstone]

I guess as a follow up question, Is it worth getting it restored?  Or are the various damages/patinas more valuable to a collector?  I'm just trying to price it for insurance purposes.  It's been in my family for 80 years and I'm not interested in selling it. 

 

-Morgan Redstone

[Rawa]

First of all get any professional info in person. Get NTHK? It's waki afterall.

[Bruce Pennington]

15 hours ago, MorganRedstone said:

I guess as a follow up question, Is it worth getting it restored?  Or are the various damages/patinas more valuable to a collector?  I'm just trying to price it for insurance purposes.  It's been in my family for 80 years and I'm not interested in selling it. 

 

-Morgan Redstone

Morgan,

The restoration question really depends on your feelings.  As a family heirloom, you may wish to bring it up to it's full beauty.  I did this with my dad's Mantetsu and I'm glad I did.  Waki vary quite a bit in market value.  I don't follow waki prices, so hopefully one of the other guys can give you an idea.  But the cost of a polish may exceed the market value of your blade, but it's a quality/personal preference that should really drive your decision.

[charlesf]

Hello Morgan,

                       Just my two penn'orth,personally I would leave it alone and enjoy it as it is,screw and all,the blade appears to be in reasonable old polish,if there's any active rust a soak in light penetrating oil should kill it then a frequent wipe with soft tissue should bring out details in the blade.

I confess to not being a fan of 'restored' items,I like patina and don't mind the odd knock which I feel are all part of the character of the piece.

regards,

              Charles.

[MorganRedstone]

Thank you everyone for your replies.  I've made some notes and will figure out how I wish to proceed.  

 

-Morgan