Shaun hein Posted July 24 Report Posted July 24 My grandfather brought this back from World War II he said he shot down a Japanese zero and a pilot was carrying this Christian sword. He had it out in the back work shop for 35 years until he passed way and I found it last week. Just wondering if its worth selling ? Quote
Ray Singer Posted July 24 Report Posted July 24 Shaun, sorry for the bad news but it is evident that the "Christian sword" elements are recent additions. The tsuba has been cleaned (the patina stripped off), and it appears the cross has been attached with some type of adhesive. All three crosses appear to be newly applied and not of Japanese origin. Specifically for the saya (scabbard) it looks to been newly painted (not lacquered) and the cross was attached afterwards. Overall, something that received an amateur "restoration" and re-imagined as a Christian-themed sword. Best regards, Ray 5 Quote
John C Posted July 24 Report Posted July 24 Shaun: I have to agree with Ray. While the sword may be Japanese in origin, a kamikaze pilot would not have been carrying this. The most obvious reason is that there is nothing military about it. Even if it were, it would probably be against regulations to glue crosses to it. John C. 2 Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted July 26 Report Posted July 26 You might want to post some photos of the full nakago (tang), both sides, and a close shot or two of the hamon (temper line) and blade tip. Let's see what kind of blade is there. Quote
Hector Posted July 26 Report Posted July 26 I promise that I'm not trying to be clever or sarcastic but surely, if you shot down a kamikaze pilot in a Zero, there wouldn't be much left, would there? Quote
ROKUJURO Posted July 26 Report Posted July 26 Blade photos always oriented tip-upwards, NAKAGO photos without HABAKI. All photos taken on a plain dark, non-reflecting background. The cross on the blade is etched or Laser engraved (?) upside-down, so probably not made in Japan - and perhaps not on a Japanese blade. 1 Quote
PNSSHOGUN Posted July 27 Report Posted July 27 The original post makes no mention of Kamikaze, just a Zero pilot. 1 Quote
Hector Posted July 27 Report Posted July 27 3 hours ago, PNSSHOGUN said: The original post makes no mention of Kamikaze, just a Zero pilot. Apologies to the OP. I picked up the word 'kamikaze' from an earlier reply. 1 Quote
John C Posted July 27 Report Posted July 27 Special attack squadron or not, all the points still apply. Not a sword that would have been carried by military personnel. John C. 1 Quote
Marcin Posted July 27 Report Posted July 27 (edited) So wait a minute how it corresponds with his story? This DIY was done after war imo and with selling in mind. Too many crosses. Is this attempt to use forum to build legend for selling? Edited July 27 by Marcin 1 Quote
robinalexander Posted July 28 Report Posted July 28 Just another 'post and run' it appears Bruce...Shaun is clearly AWOL like too many others these days. Maybe a very good reason for the 4 day delay for any sort of response after OP but if not, its just bloody bad manners in my view. 3 Quote
Hector Posted July 28 Report Posted July 28 (edited) I'm always astounded at how many 'single-post' people's "grandfathers or great-grandfathers" came back from WWII proudly bearing a Chinese fake sword. What are the chances, eh? PS: the OP's sword would be great against vampires. ('Blade IV' maybe?) Edited July 28 by Hector 1 Quote
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