Swords

[aaron7]

They have wear on the tips, and much wear on the handles and ends... so I am guessing they are real and not for display! What do you think?

 

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[nhbenz]

The lower sword is (without a doubt) an original WW2 Japanese officers sword, worth no less than $500. (I'd buy it for that, if it were allowed here, but you'de get more on eBay) That sheath (I'll call it that, but Japanese sword collectors get into much more specific terms) is in GREAT shape. The bumpy white stuff on the handle is either ray or shark skin. The values range greatly depending on the blade. Higher officers were allowed to have old family blades fitted (they were very proud of this and the blade could be a few hundred years old) or it could be one made during WW2 (it would have a serial number in this case, rather than 5-7 Japanese characters on the tang). At a glance, I think yours is WW2 dated (which they would call mass produced, but its still authentic). You need to remove the handle to find out more. Tap out the bamboo peg that holds the handle on and carefully tap off the handle off (grip blade with with a rag, with hands nowhere near the sharp edge, because these WERE meant to be used) get a look at the tang (the metal part under the handle)... actually I'm gonna' stop there... you're on the wrong site. But you've got a nice pair of items there. Gunboards.com would be a better site for info on these. Although I think none of us would mind hearing the story behind these.

 

[aaron7]

All I iknow is her great grandfather was in the war and traveled the world!

Yes the blade is VERY sharp! Like a razor!

I just saw you are in NH, I am in MA. Could I meet with you to show it and you could possibly tell me more?

 

[nhbenz]

Oh, I didn't address the top sword. Its also a Japanese officers sword, but the Saber type that were issued in the 1920's or so. Thery're not AS valuable as the Katana type on the bottom, but still $100 at least. I'd love to see them, but there are people out there with a lot more expertise than myself. This is a link to a group with great knowledge on the subject: http://www.gunboards.com/forums/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=42 But send me a message if your not too far from Dover NH.

 

[nhbenz]

What else did great grampy bring back? Or even his own uniform and gear?

 

[aaron7]

Oh, I didn't address the top sword. Its also a Japanese officers sword, but the Saber type that were issued in the 1920's or so. Thery're not AS valuable as the Katana type on the bottom, but still $100 at least. I'd love to see them, but there are people out there with a lot more expertise than myself. This is a link to a group with great knowledge on the subject: http://www.gunboards.com/forums/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=42 But send me a message if your not too far from Dover NH.

About 70 miles from me, I'm right on the line of MA/NH,

You don't need to be an expert on highly sort after collectibles, like your sharps, on eBay. (e.g. My 10 buck vase that went for over 1200.) Collectors know what they are looking for. And knowing who the previous owner was adds to the value.

If you need some serious cash fast I would shoot and list!

Cyn

We may put it on eBay. It?s nothing really sentimental or anything, so it?s best to go to a collector!

What else did great grampy bring back? Or even his own uniform and gear?

I?m sure he brought back many things. My girlfriend?s dad remembers he had a crossbow and many more weapons! He also remembers binoculars and such. We haven?t found anything more than what is here (aside from the two pistols, which I am yet to see and photograph!)

 

[Gypsy Heart]

I cant see enough of the sword to help much in identification but here is some info I got from some? old military books.

There are four basic types of Japanese swords:two of them short,under 24 inches,and two are long,over 24 inches in blade length.The Samurai always carried a pair of sheathed swords - one long,one short.
when clad in armor? or in formal dress, the Samurai wore the long sword called a TACHI. The matching short sword was called a TANTO.
In ordinary dress ,they wore the KATANA, often three feet in length, thrust through the girdle, edge upward.
Many swords are decorated with engraving or inlay work on the blade, although the major decoration was reserved for the TSUBA,or guard; the FUCHI, a collar encircling the hilt at the guard end; and the KISHIRA or pommel-cap. These were often embellished with high relief carving ,engraving, etching, piercing, inlay work, incrustation with precious metal or a combination of all. The scabbard or SAYA was finished with laquer and had decorated fittings.
Finishing of the sword hilt,TSUKA,begins with covering of the pebbled skin of a ray fish.Then flat silk braid is wrapped overthe hilt in a pattern that leaves a row of lozenge shaoped openings on either side,exposing the white ray skin.
Identification of the swords, require the removal of the TSUKA, which may be accomplished by carefully forcing out the single tapered wooden peg, MEKUGI, which fastens it to the tang. The TSUKA, may then be slid off revealing the makers name,his titles and the place where the sword was made. The date is usually found on the other side of the tang. Certain patterns of the files mark, will also aide experts on th authentification and dating.

 

[aaron7]

Neat, thanks for the info! It?s cool to know the history of these old things.