James L Posted July 21 Report Posted July 21 Dad picked this up back in the early 60s. I'm new to this and just trying to gain some knowledge here. Quote
Rivkin Posted July 21 Report Posted July 21 Interesting it seems like hitatsura or something. High quality gendaito quite possibly. 1 Quote
Brian Posted July 21 Report Posted July 21 I think the patination is playing tricks. I think this is going to turn out to be a Showato 4 Quote
Conway Posted July 21 Report Posted July 21 @James L Any stamps under the habaki? Given the date, and patination on nakago, this looks like a late-war showato (non-traditionally made, oil-quenched). A lot of WW2 navy swords had blades made of a corrosion resistant anti-rust steel. But this does not look like the case given the pics provided. Nice looking sword though! Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted July 21 Report Posted July 21 Yes, quite nice! James, you have a Type 97 Japanese Naval officer sword, or kiagunto. You can read up on them at Ohmura's great site: Naby Officers Sword - 1937 Some care and cleaning tips: Japanese Sword Care. 2 Quote
James L Posted July 21 Author Report Posted July 21 (edited) All pieces are stamped with this mark. I'm also curious about the real value of a Type 97 like this. Edited July 21 by James L Quote
John C Posted Tuesday at 09:18 PM Report Posted Tuesday at 09:18 PM The number 4 perhaps? John C. 2 1 Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted Tuesday at 09:42 PM Report Posted Tuesday at 09:42 PM Yes, assembly number "4" in Japanese. Put there to keep fitted parts together during production process. Kaigunto sell for slightly more than Army gunto. I haven't followed them lately, post-Covid, but they're likely in the $1,800 - 2,400 USD range. 2 Quote
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