Part of Samauri/Kattanna(?) Sword?

tokenhead · Mar 8, 2010

,Hello everyone !,If i should be in "what is it" please move( :notworthy:

,jeff,PBK)...I recently got this with a recent knife/military buy.It has me confused(not to hard to do!),The ivory" is real,appears to be bone/antler of sort's...I don't know what it's from(animal,etc.),No markings on blade which is approx.From handle,11.5in.,Overall approx.15in.Blade seem's of military style or look's like a "combat" style blade.The two peice's(handle&seperate peice)Do not match,Meaning they don't line up end to end,side by side(shorter),etc.
Any info.,Input,etc. on item will be greatly appreciated,Thank's for looking&listening ! HH ALL !!!

TheHarleyMan2 · Apr 29, 2010

I don't have an answer on the bone handle or carvings. The Japanese would use a small blade simular in length, about 15 inches like the one you have to commit Hari Kari which also known as sepuku, one would take a wakizashi (short sword) and dissembowel oneself.

If there are no markings one the blade close at the tang, (closest to the handle), then it could be just an after market knock off.

snake35 · Apr 30, 2010

The carving is very well done. From the pictures it appears that you have two handles and no scabbard. Stu Ogen was my oriental blade expert, unfortunately he has passed on.

If you post more pics of the blade itself and any markings on the tang I might be able to help. Swords are sold blade only with the handle, tsuba (guard) etc. as extras. This is due to the fact that blades held up better than the handle material and were quite often replaced. Hope this helps.

american samurai · Jan 20, 2011

It is a low quality Japanese sword with ox bone mounts. These type was meant for the tourist trade and the blades were not real Japanese sword blades ''nihonto". A good quality Japanese blade would always be attached to the handle by a wood pin passing through the handle and the sword blade, making it easy to remove the blade. The Japanese did make very high quality swords of this type, here is a picture of one and a link to a thread from another forum with some very nice carved fittings.
http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=8390&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=ivory