Japanese sword

[Butch]

I recently picked up this sword. This is not my field of collecting so I would greatly appreciate your knowledge and opinions on this sword.


Regarding the sword, the handle is leather covered and so is the wooden scabbard. There is also a motif on the top of the handle and the hand guard is made of iron.

I have a few questions regarding this sword:
- is it an Officers or an NCO example?
- is it issue or some sort of personal sword?

With many thanks for your comments,

Gareth

[Butch]

Pic 2

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Pic 5

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Pic 6

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Pic 7

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Pic 8

[Butch]

Pic 9

[Budo45]

its a older sword (maybe family) taken to war by officer. shame we cant see the nakago but that would ruin that great cover on the tsuka. blade has two deep bohi, much larger than most. id like to see pix of the tip, the angle shot makes it look a bit off.

[gunto]

The blade dosnt look japanese , more european.
In our national musseum we have a samurai sword with a european blade mounted.
The blade in this thread has a riccasso ,it looks strange with the habaki.
Is there a full wraped tsuka under the leather?
There is a shingunto fuchi on the tsuka.
It looks somehow mixed up parts. But still looks old (ww2)

[Butch]

Thanks for the replies.
Regarding the handle you can feel some sort of binding under the leather.

Gareth

[JRO]

Stephen - When have you ever seen an authentic Japanese katana with a bo-hi as deep, wide, and finishing about 3 inches before the kissaki like that?

Personally, I really doubt the blade is Japanese, the tip, the bohi and the shape just doesn't seem right.

[Budo45]

actualy i didnt want to say it but think the tip was broken and bohi added, we had one with bohi that deep on the board, we wont know unless he takes the handle off huh?

[Budo45]

jr

last time i saw one.


http://lll.pro.tok2.com/sword/sdata95/ik202b.htm