sword identification help

[dmkatana]

Hello,

 

In speaking with a Nihonto Board Member via email, he agreed that I should post some pictures on this Message Board to elicit some help into getting details on my Grandfather's WWII sword.

 

I have found the journey to be very difficult for a novice such as myself in regards to weeding through all the information. I feel like I would have to take a class for 4 years to get an understanding of all the nuances of identifying a sword!

 

This is what I thought I found out about this sword:

I guessed at it being a Asano Kanesane – East Asia Sword Company because of this link: http://www.historicalarmsandarmor.com/japanese_0005.html The swords had a similar look to each other. Also, I was guessing it to be a Showato with a machine-made blade. There are no stamps, signatures, or symbols of any kind that I can find.

 

I'm hoping that the knowledgeable members of this board can help shed some light on the design and history of this sword. It would be nice to be able to explain the history of this sword to guests that visit and see it on display.

 

Any and all information you can give is greatly appreciated!!

 

Thanks!!

 

Brent

 

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx19 ... CF4653.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx19 ... CF4654.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx19 ... CF4651.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx19 ... CF4658.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx19 ... CF4648.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx19 ... CF4647.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx19 ... CF4646.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx19 ... CF4645.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx19 ... CF4644.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx19 ... CF4643.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx19 ... CF4642.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx19 ... CF4641.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx19 ... CF4640.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx19 ... CF4638.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx19 ... CF4639.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx19 ... CF4637.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx19 ... CF4649.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx19 ... CF4633.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx19 ... CF4631.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx19 ... CF4632.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx19 ... CF4629.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx19 ... CF4628.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx19 ... CF4625.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx19 ... CF4627.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx19 ... CF4624.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx19 ... CF4623.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx19 ... CF4622.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx19 ... CF4621.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx19 ... CF4620.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx19 ... CF4619.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx19 ... CF4616.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx19 ... CF4614.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx19 ... CF4634.jpg

http://i755.photobucket.com/albums/xx19 ... CF4613.jpg

[dmkatana]

Plus, since I am member number 1500, don't I get some ballons and confetti?? :D

 

Brent

[moss]

Hello Brent,

 

Normally you would recieve ballons and confetti,but they are hard to post online so...........

It's your shout

Especially since your first post is in Military Swords.

 

 

Cheers Moss

[Rich S]

There is a lot of info and oshigata for comparison on my Asano Kanesane page at:

 

http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/kanezane.htm

 

also more oshigata on the oshigata page:

 

http://home.earthlink.net/~ttstein/index.htm

 

Just noticed you said, no mei, stamps, etc. All Kanesane blades that I've seen have been signed. Probably not one of his.

 

Rich S

[cabowen]

First of all, this is not a WWII era military blade or mounting and thus this is probably not the correct forum for this discussion...Nevertheless, here are my observations. Perhaps the moderator can move this thread to the correct location...

 

The blade is handmade and traditional. It has been shortened at least once. The original nakago finish is seen at the bottom-most mekugi-ana. the top two are later, with the drilled, shiny ana the last chronologically.

 

The koshirae is a traditional samurai mounting, probably from the 19th century. The kodogu look to be shinchu, or brass based. Fairly good condition, average work. The habaki has been mauled and the saya koiguchi looks beat, but the rest is decent....

 

It is difficult to say without seeing the blade in hand, as always, but probably from the Shinto period. Photos aren't clear enough to say much more....There looks to be several kitae ware in the former ji in the nakago. Possible there are more in the blade proper as they tend to run along seams.

 

A nice piece for display....

 

Hope that is of some help....

[dmkatana]

Chris,

 

Thanks very much for the information. You have given this "object" a "suggested" history and a life. It holds a new meaning for me now other than it just being a sword.

 

Thanks again!

 

Brent