Navy Posted December 31, 2011 Report Posted December 31, 2011 Dear collectors, I'm considering to add this specimen to my WWII weapons collection; I'm used to collect mainly firearms and I have only a very very basic knowledge on Japanese blades, so I would like to have your opinion on this sword before getting my final decision. I don't expect to get a Nihonto specimen, but instead a true WWII, collectible piece. The seller have been told the blade could be late '800/early '900 production, and he bought the sword in Japan some years ago. The tsuka is a bit loose, and the same, which is dark in color (as for the pics) doesn't fully wrap the handle but instead there are two "sheets" applied on it. The scabbard under leather is wooden made, with a copper (?) throat piece. He stated there are not dings or major scratches on the blade. The nagako is mu mei, and not arsenal marked. Asking price is 1.100 out of the door. Thank you in advance for your inputs and happy New Year to you all, Marzio Palitta Italy Quote
Navy Posted December 31, 2011 Author Report Posted December 31, 2011 More pics: Marzio Palitta. Italy Quote
drbvac Posted December 31, 2011 Report Posted December 31, 2011 IMHO and I am in no way any sort of expert on gunto blades but it looks better than I would expect in this type of mounts. The hamon is fairly visible in the pics and although it is mumei the absence of any arsenal marks or serial numbers is a good thing ! Almost certainly a WWII weapon and as I said better than average blade - but as always and maybe as expected stand to be corrected Quote
sencho Posted December 31, 2011 Report Posted December 31, 2011 Agreed with Dr. Brian. Has an arsenal mark been removed on "codolo.jpg"?? Or just a blemish on the nakago? Cheers Quote
David Flynn Posted December 31, 2011 Report Posted December 31, 2011 These WW11 mumei blades come made in the traditional and non-traditional manner. First see if there is any Hada. If so, then probably a traditional hand made blade. Unfortunately Mumei Gendai (traditionally made) blades are extremely hard to find the maker. Quote
Navy Posted January 21, 2012 Author Report Posted January 21, 2012 Dear collectors, first of all thanks to you all for your previous inputs; the sword is finally arrived so I'm here again with new pics and measures: - nagasa 57,5 cm (roughly 22,63 in; so is it a wakizashi?) - kissaki 3,5 cm (1,37) - nakago (mumei) 18 cm (7,08) - blade height at yokote 2,3 cm (0,90) - blade height at munemachi 2,8 cm (1,10) The hamon (gunome?) is visible but not crisp, and I think there is some hada on the blade. I can't find out the boshi. In the boshi area, to the right side near the ha there is a kizu Other than this, the sword seems quite healthy. Marzio Italy Quote
Navy Posted January 21, 2012 Author Report Posted January 21, 2012 I tried to get some detailed pics, but I guess I need a better camera... Any comments will be really appreciated, thanks in advance. Marzio Italy Quote
kusunokimasahige Posted January 21, 2012 Report Posted January 21, 2012 It looks like an oil quenched hamon to me, which would make it a non-traditionally made blade. Its still a nice sword though KM Quote
Navy Posted January 23, 2012 Author Report Posted January 23, 2012 Hi KM, I've been told this sword (wakizashi) should be a late Edo/early Meiji period, so a traditional made blade... Did the military arsenals make also mass produced wakizashi during WWII? Quote
SwordGuyJoe Posted January 25, 2012 Report Posted January 25, 2012 Based on patination and yasurime, I highly doubt Shinshinto, would eliminate even late Shinto, and lean heavily toward Showa. Even at wakizashi length - relatively rare for Showa, if you hear hooves think horses, not zebra. Quote
Navy Posted January 25, 2012 Author Report Posted January 25, 2012 Mmmm, maybe a "crew gunto" (private order)? But someone is suggesting me the blade had a suriage in the past. Quote
SwordGuyJoe Posted January 25, 2012 Report Posted January 25, 2012 Mmmm, maybe a "crew gunto" (private order)? But someone is suggesting me the blade had a suriage in the past. The notion that it may have been ordered/made for a tank crew or some sort of aviation crewman is more plausible I think, as the blade it self looks more like an oil quenched showato than an out of polish shinshinto piece. Quote
drdata Posted January 25, 2012 Report Posted January 25, 2012 Hey "Navy", please sign you post with a real First name as per forum rules (trying to assist mods). I see no signs of suriage on your nakago. One normally expects to see additional mekugi-ana and a squared off end. http://www.nihontomessageboard.com/articles/Suriage.pdf Regards Quote
Navy Posted January 26, 2012 Author Report Posted January 26, 2012 Hey "Navy", please sign you post with a real First name as per forum rules (trying to assist mods). I did it above, I forgot to do it on the last 2 posts. Thanks to you all for your appreciated assistance. Regards, Marzio Italy Quote
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