Nihonto Confirmation

[foxfire]

I am interested in purchasing this sword and would like to confirm that it is indeed Japanese. The maker is Clemen & Jung, Solingen. From previous research, I understand that Clemen & Jung made edged weapons for Japan at some point. Many thanks.

 

Edited May 5 by foxfire

[Scogg]

Hi James @foxfire, welcome to the forum. I’m going to relocate this to the Military Swords of Japan section. There’s more people there that will be familiar with this type of sword. 
 

What you have appears to be a Field Grade Type 19 Kyu Gunto dress saber with a German blade.

 

It looks real to me. Ive seen many of these with a huge variety of blade types; and a wide range of quality. I have one myself that also has a German blade.  

I would wait for further input, because these are outside my main focus.

-Sam 

[foxfire]

2 hours ago, Scogg said:

Hi James @foxfire, welcome to the forum. I’m going to relocate this to the Military Swords of Japan section. There’s more people there that will be familiar with this type of sword. 
 

What you have appears to be a Field Grade Type 19 Kyu Gunto dress saber with a German blade.

 

It looks real to me. Ive seen many of these with a huge variety of blade types; and a wide range of quality. I have one myself that also has a German blade.  

I would wait for further input, because these are outside my main focus.

-Sam 

Thank you for the welcome and information. - Jamrs

[Conway]

James, below the maker’s mark there appears to be a * star. These were put on the early imported German blades. I have a similar Type 19 by Clemen & Jung. I will post pictures when I have time. I would buy this one if the price is reasonable. 

[Kiipu]

Ditto the above.  Conway, how in the world do you keep finding these swords!  Are you Irish?

[Bruce Pennington]

I'm away from my books, but can say that in the beginning stages of Westernization, Japan imported blades from Germany.  So, that puts your sword very early, like 1890s or 1900ish.  Dawson says in his book (which I don't have right now).

[Conway]

I believe this whole sword was imported from Germany. I say that because the details in the guard and back strap are noticeably more pronounced (3D) than in Japanese-made dress swords. Below a C&J compared with a Suya Shoten example. Also note how the center of sakura on the back strap is devoid of a small dot in the center. This detail is almost always present on Japanese-made Type 19s. These dress swords were made within a cottage industry of sorts so there are many minute variations, but certain details really stick out as unique in these two C&J swords.  

 

 

 

[Conway]

10 hours ago, Kiipu said:

Ditto the above.  Conway, how in the world do you keep finding these swords!  Are you Irish?

 

I’m not Irish. Haha.  I just have an unhealthy addiction to Type 19s, so I am always on the lookout for niche examples. 

[Bruce Pennington]

Interesting to see the stem and leaf pattern on the backstrap is noticeably different.  Also, the part that sticks out (no idea of the name of the part) is quit larger and longer than the other.

[Conway]

On 5/7/2026 at 10:12 AM, Bruce Pennington said:

Interesting to see the stem and leaf pattern on the backstrap is noticeably different.  Also, the part that sticks out (no idea of the name of the part) is quit larger and longer than the other.

 

I believe you are referring to the quillion. I think the reason the proportions on the C&J seem larger than the Japanese one is because the Germans made it more true to size with the French sword these Type 19s are modeled on.