Samurai Sword?

[Karl S.]

Hi,
I just got this and I don't know much about these things. The blade is in excellent condition (27inch) and there's writing on the case. The handle appears to be glued on so I can't get to the tang. Opinions appreciated, and what's the approximate value?...thanks

[Karl S.]

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[Karl S.]

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[Karl S.]

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[Karl S.]

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[Steve Flanagan]

Sword

Hard to tell from photos, if the peg is out and you see glue or its obviously glued in then that wont help, but I cant see any activity in the steel and the tip "kissaki" doesnt appear to be of an older style so it might be a WWII blade of unknown quality stuck into an old resting scabbard "Shirasaya". Hold the blade next to the blade as if it was sheathed,,how much difference is there in length between the two, shirasaya were custom made for the blade so there shouldnt be more than an inch or so.

[gunto]

It looks like the scabbard fits in lenght.
I dont think its glued.
The kanji says something with Showa, I think.
To take it apart:
Put sword in left hand .Hold it vertical with cutting edge away from You.
Hit Your left hand with You right hand, This will sure hurt ,but it works on prox.90 % swords.

[ZERO-sen]

meiji 29 seki ju Kanehisa.

[Karl S.]

Thanks Guys,
Steve the blade is about an inch shorter then the wood scabbard, so I'd think the blade tip is un-messed with.

[Steve Flanagan]

Sword

Well the only way we are going to get any further is to tap the hilt off the tang, if there is obvious glue then thats not going to happen without damaging the wood, but you might try wrapping the blade and holding it or clamping it and tapping the edge of the hilt with a wooden hammer handle and gently coax it off. Nothing wrong with the blade tip just checking to see if blade length matched scabbard which it does which may mean the info written on the wood may describe the blade inside

[Karl S.]

Steve,
Been away a few days, but I got the handle off and there's nothing on the tang but rust. I'm thinking about selling this. Could someone give me an idea of value...thanks.

Well the only way we are going to get any further is to tap the hilt off the tang, if there is obvious glue then thats not going to happen without damaging the wood, but you might try wrapping the blade and holding it or clamping it and tapping the edge of the hilt with a wooden hammer handle and gently coax it off. Nothing wrong with the blade tip just checking to see if blade length matched scabbard which it does which may mean the info written on the wood may describe the blade inside

[FightenIrish35]

could you take an image of the tang?both sides....

[Steve Flanagan]

Sword

Well Meiji 29 is 1896 so photos of the rust on the tang would help date it