Morgoth Posted April 8, 2012 Report Posted April 8, 2012 Hello, My name is Matt Lindeman. I recently puchased this sword in California from a elderly man that told me that his uncle was in WW2 and ho brought this sword back from Okinawa. I new very little about Katanas at the time (3 days ago) but after a little research on the internet I found a guy in Palo Alto CA. that is in a Katana club and he referred me to you. The blade is 24 inches long and has seen use. I can possibly see writing on the tang. It is very rusty and was told NOT to clean it. The handle is difinatly not Japanese. Can any one tell me what type of sword and aprox age? Also I wood like to know what the writing on the sheath says. Is it a name of a person? If so, I wonder if I could find the original family owner. I will send some pictures with this posting but if any other specific pictures are wanted of certain areas i can do this also. Thankyou For your help. P.S. I also puchased two old fencing swords from the same person and I have to say that the Katana is difantly a true piece of art. Very Cool!!! P.S.S I hope i posted the pictures Quote
Lindus Posted April 8, 2012 Report Posted April 8, 2012 Hello, My name is Matt Lindeman. I recently puchased this sword in California from a elderly man that told me that his uncle was in WW2 and ho brought this sword back from Okinawa. I new very little about Katanas at the time (3 days ago) but after a little research on the internet I found a guy in Palo Alto CA. that is in a Katana club and he referred me to you. The blade is 24 inches long and has seen use. I can possibly see writing on the tang. It is very rusty and was told NOT to clean it. The handle is difinatly not Japanese. Can any one tell me what type of sword and aprox age? Also I wood like to know what the writing on the sheath says. Is it a name of a person? If so, I wonder if I could find the original family owner. I will send some pictures with this posting but if any other specific pictures are wanted of certain areas i can do this also. Thankyou For your help. P.S. I also puchased two old fencing swords from the same person and I have to say that the Katana is difantly a true piece of art. Very Cool!!! P.S.S I hope i posted the pictures Hi Matt and welcome No pic's old chap, check out the section re publishing on the NMB, easy stuff but remember that 900 pix is the limit. Regards Roy Quote
Morgoth Posted April 9, 2012 Author Report Posted April 9, 2012 I Apoligize to you guys. The pictures are now on the forum P.S. CAn anyone translate what this says into english for me? It is on the sheath. Thankyou for your help Matt Lindeman Quote
Bazza Posted April 9, 2012 Report Posted April 9, 2012 I Apoligize to you guys. I cannot put the pictures on the forum because the camera i am using and the computer i am sitting in front of as i type this are smarter than me. The pics appear to be to much for the forum and i do not know how to dum down the pics. I have tried two cameras. I have the pics on my computer. Any suggestions? Possible send (e-mail) them to you guys a differnt way? Thankyou for your help Matt Lindeman The pictures worked for me just now in the original post: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=12643 I have no opinion on the sword beyond observing that the ken horimono looks promising for what may lie under the rust and neglect. Regards, BaZZa Quote
Morgoth Posted April 9, 2012 Author Report Posted April 9, 2012 I was told not to clean the rust from it. Quote
nagamaki - Franco Posted April 9, 2012 Report Posted April 9, 2012 If you please, an image showing the overall shape of the blade might be beneficial. These assorted images amount to little more than looking at pieces of a puzzle. Quote
runagmc Posted April 9, 2012 Report Posted April 9, 2012 Don't clean the nakago. You can put a thin coat of mineral oil on the blade part to keep it from rusting... but only put it on the blade, not the nakago. Quote
Morgoth Posted April 9, 2012 Author Report Posted April 9, 2012 The blade is 60 cm and overall is 80 cm. There is an overall pic in the original pics. Matt Quote
Geraint Posted April 9, 2012 Report Posted April 9, 2012 Hi Matt and welcome. I assume you have added the pictures, you will need to take some more if anyone is going to be able to tell you something. I clear image of the whole tang, both sides, tip to the silver foil habaki, the collar around the blade. If the habaki will slide off the tang then so much the better but be careful as it may be quite firmly stuck if it has not been removed for years. Another image of the full blade and if possible close ups of the boshi, the point section, again both sides. The advice not to polish was good, don't even think of cleaning up the fittings at the moment, and while we are on the subject a good pair of images of the tsuba, the guard might be worth posting in the tosogu section on this board. So far what it looks like you have is a Japanese sword that has been shortened and mounted for use in WWII. The blade seems much older and the carving in the blade on one side is interesting. You mention that the blade is 24" long, believe it or not this matters, where did you take the measurement from? Ideally from the tip to the point on the back of the blade where it starts to disappear into the habaki. Lots more to discover here and an interesting first find. Looking forward to more pictures. All the best. Quote
Geraint Posted April 9, 2012 Report Posted April 9, 2012 Matt, please check out your earlier post for another reply including some suggestions for additional pictures. We are asking because we can't see enough to help you yet. Cheers Quote
Brian Posted April 9, 2012 Report Posted April 9, 2012 Looks like an interesting find...shows some promise. Always dubious about those "Swiss-cheese" nakago though. That blade damage has cost thousands of $'s..whoever did it. Not from battle...that is almost certain. May not be repairable, a good polisher would have to examine it. Brian Quote
Mark Green Posted April 9, 2012 Report Posted April 9, 2012 As many times as it was remounted, I would say it was a well loved sword. It looks very old, and very used. Too bad about all the edge damage. More pics Matt. Full sword, Boshi!!!! Nice find. Mark Quote
Morgoth Posted April 9, 2012 Author Report Posted April 9, 2012 Ok Guys I am very new with playing with this computer. I have better pictures but the limited KB that the forum allows is stumping me. I will ask my better half for an answer. Can anyone tell me what the writing on the sheath says? Thanks. Matt Quote
CurtisR Posted April 14, 2012 Report Posted April 14, 2012 Yes, very sad about the edge damage but most of the "swiss-cheese" at least appear to be punched vs. drilled....or are my eyes being deceived . Curits R. Quote
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