Wakizashi identification

[Max C]

This wakizashi was, I am told, taken at the Japanese surrender in Singapore. It is in a rather sorry state but has lots of interesting characteristic and I would like to learn more about it. The blade has visibly been cut down and has a deep dark rust. It shows no visible mei. the hamon is not clearly visible, but appears to be a very thin suguha, I find this a tad worrying as the blade exhibits many hakobore, and one or two of them are relatively deep in comparaison to the hamon (at least if it is as thin as it appears) and to the hamachi.

 

The fittings are even more interesting, the tsuba is very beautifull and intricate, but seems to have been covered by an amateur with some kind of clear lacquer, same for the ito and saya.

 

Here are my questions:

 

1)I know that the blade would need a good polish to judge precisely, but based on what is here, how old could it be?

2)Would it be worth a polish?

3)How old would those fittings be?

4)Could it be possible to remove the clear lacquer on the tsuba without damaging it? I would guess some kind of acetone but I wouldn't want to damage any finish underneath.

 

Thank you for any input you can give!

 

Here is a link to pictures of this sword: http://imageshack.us/g/407/001xr.jpg/

[Marius]

Maxime,

 

None of your pics has been viewed, and ImageShack asks me to register to see them. Maybe that is why you have received no answers to your questions?

[Max C]

That's strange I can access them even from another computer, but thanks for letting me know. Here is the first set.

[Max C]

Part 2

[Max C]

Part 3

[Marius]

1)I know that the blade would need a good polish to judge precisely, but based on what is here, how old could it be?

2)Would it be worth a polish?

3)How old would those fittings be?

4)Could it be possible to remove the clear lacquer on the tsuba without damaging it? I would guess some kind of acetone but I wouldn't want to damage any finish underneath.

 

Maxime,

 

thanks for the pictures :-)

 

1. looks like a cut down katana. Definitely o-suriage. Hard to tell without a polish, but judging by the patina on the nakago, it might be shinto, at least it was shortened in this period.

2. For re-selling without a loss? No. Otherwise... depends on how much you value it. A good polisher is a must, no amateur polishing. A good polisher will advise you better what it is and if it is worth a polish.

3. Edo. Not the best, but not very bad, either.

4. But other NMB members will know :-)

 

hope that helps a bit...

[Max C]

Thank you Mariusz, most helpful indeed!