Still need help. Military WW2 sword, Japanese

[Carlyl3]

My local museum, in rural Australia, has 2 swords donated by someone. One is obviously the type a soldier would wear all the time. The other is ornate, with gold inlays on the wrap, and ray skin saya. The tang is so rusted I can't read any inscriptions. I see this forum mocks amateurs restoring swords, and I understand that, but rust will claim it. These blades will sit in a display case. When I removed the tsuka that was the first time since the war. I would love someone to take an interest in advising me what to do, to preserve them, and give a historical context. Can send lots more photos if you give me a contact. Thanks.

[eternal_newbie]

To prevent rust from advancing, give the blade a good wipe with a microfibre cloth and isopropyl alcohol (you can get both from your nearest hardware store) and apply a very light coat of mineral oil: https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/faq/question/3-how-to-oil-and-maintain-nihonto/

 

While you're doing that, you can take some photos of the bare blade for identification by the forum - at minimum you'll want the following:

• Closeup of the right side of the blade tip
• Closeup of the left side of the blade tip
• Overall shot of the right side of the entire blade
• Overall shot of the left side of the entire blade
• Closeup of the right side of the tang
• Closup of the left side of the tang

[PNSSHOGUN]

For active rust on the Nakago best to stabilise with a light gun oil and GENTLY rub down with a cotton rag until no more red rust appears. Please do not attempt anything more to these, as you will quickly ruin historical value. Depending on where this museum is located there may be someone close by that can provide advice. 

[Bruce Pennington]

And some of us would love to see photos of the military sword! Please!

[Bruce Pennington]

10 hours ago, Carlyl3 said:

I see this forum mocks amateurs restoring swords, and I understand that, but rust will claim it

Not sure of your exact meaning of "restoring". Just to clarify, Carlyle, the guys don't mock anyone, but they are strongly against do-it-yourself blade polishing.  Buffing and sanding regardless of the extreme fineness of the paper always leaves undesirable finish to the blade.  Removing active rust, as mentioned above, is always recommended, and no one is against efforts to restore fittings to their glory (even that comes with some difficulty, sometimes.)

 

If your blade turns out to be something really valuable, then attempts to self-polish literally ruin the blade to the collecting community.  And blades without signatures are often still appraised to have come from valued smiths, so the rust on the nakago doesn't eliminate that option.

[Carlyl3]

Thank you, Bruce. The museum (run by non-professionals more interested in Australian memorabilia) is not going to sell the 2 swords, so in a sense the oiling of the blades and rust limitation will not diminish the value. I will try to talk them into leaving the blades out of the saya as it can't help with their preservation to have them enclosed.

Again, thank you, from countryside Victoria in Australia.

PS this is the sword that would have been used everyday.

[Bruce Pennington]

Carlyle - or do you prefer G? - That blade may still be something old.  It has a civilian tsuka and tsuba and it fitted with a wooden saya, leather covered, which is what we often see when a family blade was been donated or bought for the war effort.

 

Sure would be nice to see the nakago of both of them, if they will allow you to remove the handels.

[robinalexander]

On 12/27/2025 at 7:39 PM, Carlyl3 said:

I would love someone to take an interest in advising me what to do, to preserve them, and give a historical conte

Hello G, 

 

Firstly, it's nice that you have made the effort to try and conserve these swords. 

 

The advice given so far is pretty solid but if you wish to discuss further, I'm on the Sth Coast NSW and would be happy to give you my mob number if you care to PM me.

 

I'm also heading through country Vic next weekend for a couple of weeks with family (Geelong area) and if you were close to my route, if at all possible, I would love to visit and help out first hand.

 

Rob

[Carlyl3]

Thanks, Rob. The swords & museum are in Bairnsdale so getting them out might be hard. I would like to discuss, and maybe I could chat and show you a video (WhatsApp?) at the museum. My number is *redacted*.

Thanks again, George

[Rawa]

12 hours ago, Carlyl3 said:

Thanks, Rob. The swords & museum are in Bairnsdale so getting them out might be hard. I would like to discuss, and maybe I could chat and show you a video (WhatsApp?) at the museum. My number is REDACTED

Thanks again, George

I advice for removing contact number and give it in pm. 

[Brian]

Yeah, for privacy and safety, I removed the number. But feel free to DM it.

[robinalexander]

We have contact.

[ROKUJURO]

There is still Andrew Ickeringill in OZ.