Bishu Osafune.... something something... saku

[Lingonberry]

I popped into a local gunstore today that I know occasionally gets nihonto. They had 3 genuine nihonto amid the machine made blades, one katana in WWII mounts and two wakizashi. Aside from know that they swords are handmade the gunstore employees (who are usually extremely knowledgeable) had no idea what two of the three swords were so I offered to take pictures and get some help from more experienced people. Sadly, all 3 swords need polishing to some degree. The katana has a rather unsightly flaw near the kissaki

 

I took pictures with my cell-phone of the mei of the two swords in question. From what I can tell they both read Bishu Osafune but I can't quite make out the other Kanji. Here is a link to the pictures http://s66.photobucket.com/albums/h249/ ... to%20Help/

 

And before anyone says anything let me make it clear that I have no intention of purchasing these. I'm voluntarily helping the gun store as I have a good relationship with them.

 

PS: Yes, that's a luger in one of the pictures (I think). There was a fully registered, fully functioning STG-44 on the other side of the counter. "Only" $30,000!

[Grey Doffin]

Not sure about the wakizashi but the katana is signed Bishu Osafune Sukesada Saku and dated Tenmon 13, 8 month (1544). The katana has more problem than just the huge fukure; the patina on the nakago is messed with also.

Grey

[Nobody]

The mei of the wakizashi is Sukemitsu (祐光).

[Lingonberry]

The katana has more problem than just the huge fukure; the patina on the nakago is messed with also.

Grey

 

That might just be the lighting. The nakago wasn't that shiny in person, although it does appear it's WWII fittings scratched up the edges of the nakago. As for the fukure, does it seem worth looking into whether it can be restored? It seems pretty deep...

 

Thanks for the help guys!

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Adam,

Maybe lighting but I doubt it. I think retemper is more likely. The burst fukure may be the result of retemper but in any case I would consider it to be fatal. The blade is toast.

Grey

[Lingonberry]

Dang, that's a real shame. It's always sad to see a sword with a fatal flaw I've read somewhere though that sometimes on swords that would otherwise have been very nice the fukure will be cleaned out and filled with a laquer/laminate by the polisher during the restoration process. I'm guessing this one doesn't warrant that procedure but I might try and convince the sword to send it to a polisher for a proper evaluation anyway. It's worth a shot...

 

Would the store still be able to sell the sword at a greatly reduced cost, or would they more or less have to give it away?

[Grey Doffin]

I've never heard of filling the fukure with lacquer/laminate but it is done with steel on occasion. This fukure is so large and located in such a terrible spot that I doubt anyone would attempt the repair.

The gun shop can sell the sword as is for any amount they like, to a willing, but not informed, customer.

Grey

[Lingonberry]

I went back and spoke with them today. I gave them the bad news about the fukure and they were understandably disappointed. I mentioned that all 3 of the swords they had could use a good polish (even if one of them might as well be dead) but they said they'd rather let the buyer take care of that since they have no idea how to go about the process. That sounds like an excuse to me but it's understandable since they're a gun store, not a sword dealer, after all.

 

In other news, they took my contact info so they could ask me to come in and help them identify any swords they may get in the future so at least I get the opportunity to study swords first hand, even if I don't have anyone more experienced to tell me what it is I'm looking at...

 

Anyway, thanks for all your help!