Japanese sword please help

[Francisque]

Hi,

This sword was given by a japanese soldier to a french officer during the WW2.
It's in the same family and never on the market since the war.

Untouched condition.

Can you please help me ont the price range & is it a rare or common pattern?

Thanks a lot.
JC

[BruceP]

JC,
To answer your question we'll need to see the actual sword! The fittings are standard Type 98 Japanese officer fittings. Much depends upon the actual blade.

We'll need pics of:
1 - the whole naked blade
2 - the blade tip
3 - both sides of the tang (nakago)

Some guys collect the fittings by themselves, but the majority of the value comes from the make and maker of the blade, and of course, the condition it is in.

[Francisque]

Thanks a lot.
How to disassemble it with many precaution?

I don't want to damage something.

[Staldion]

Salut Francisque,

Nice koshirae (mount) but most value is in the blade like Bruce said. What makes it special now is the French provenance as French troops brought back less katana than the G.I's. You would need some papers from the vet, period pucture, or statement from the family to underline and proove it.

Here is a tutorial to dismount the blade :

https://youtu.be/oFT5OMQr2vw