Japanese Sword Pics

[Rommel1933]

Hello Thread,

I am posting these pics by a few requests. I can do more if you so wish... Just let me know..

I was told by a well known establishment that deals w/ these items that this is not a big deal and worth very little. This is a Japanese Gunto Sword with an Informality Scabbard. This type of scabbard was only used in WWII so it gives it a genuine authentication of the period.

The gentleman took the sword in the back and told me there were no markings on the tang. He said that the blade was not "tempered" well near the tip which reduced the value greatly. He did say the blade was hand made in the 1600's. I think that is very very cool. I will probably never own anything older than that in my life. He said it was worth about $150. He said the "chain" was worth more than the sword but he wasn't an expert on that aspect. The guy that would know that was gone that day.

I was asked to post more pics of this.. I am curious what the board says... If there is any part I should be taking a picture of please let me know.

Thank you, Rommel

[Rommel1933]

FYI - the blue zip tie is what the guy in the store put on it to keep the blade from falling out. He had to knock out the pin to see the tang...

[Stu W]

Hi,

Can you remove that zip tie and let us see the sword disassembled? Knowing the shape of a nakago (tang) and the way the end is cut/finished can be useful when attempting to date a sword, as can seeing the amount of rust (don't clean it) on a nakago. File marks and the way the mekugi-ana (tang hole...drilled vs. punched) were made are also of interest.

A nice clear focus shot of the last 6-8 inches of the blade would be nice to see also.

Thanks.

Regards,
Stu

[Rommel1933]

"A nice clear focus shot of the last 6-8 inches of the blade would be nice to see also."

That's what she said! LOL.

Yes I will post the end of the blade... have a quick errand to run but will be on by end of evening

[Rommel1933]

Stu, Does this help? Should I get more clear ones??? thank you!

[Rommel1933]

Any comments or inputs guys? :/ Thank you, Scott

[gunto]

Its an old blade mounted in shirasaya and in ww2 it was covered with leather combat cover for field use. Very nice sword hanger with a greater value than the estimated value

[Rommel1933]

Thank you Gunto, I have heard the sword hanger is worth more than the sword itself too..

Do you think the sword could be as old as 1600's? If so even if its not worth anything it is amazing to me. Other than the rocks in my yard it is the oldest thing I will ever own...

I suppose this sword most likely is authentic and was used in WWII....

[Budo45]

Gunto has it down, looks late muromachi or when then were mass producing them for the constant wars, it would need to be looked at in hand for true value, if your near the twin cities id bring it to the Oct show and have it looked at. they have a shinsa too but might not be worth the cost to have it papered if your ever going to sell it. It has great history in the fact that it is over 400 years old, on the other hand of no great mystery for the Nihonto collectors but I think you'd like to know the school and maker if your into it and the show would help with that.

[juoneen]

I suspect the previous owner cleaned or removed the old black rust it would always have on the tang to be that old. The man offered way low...its worth more. but looks tired. I doubt its worth polishing, but is still nice for what i see, as i dont see much in flaws :ie bubbles chips, cracks , or other kizu ,and no maker mark is sometimes better than a marked blade with all the fsake signatures they forged to unnamed blades....so it just looks like it has been abused . Many swords were brought back after we occupied japan. there are still several national treasure left out ther in swords yet to be found. One friend of mine had one and was flown to japan in 1957 to relinquish the one he got from a vet in ww2, and at that time it brought 57,000and two weeks in japan on the govt. Half a mill in todays money....but this may be worth around 500 or so, as is.... IMO. Now all you need is a decent period iron tsuba.

[Rommel1933]

Thank you Budo and Juoneen, I appreciate both your inputs.. I think you are right.. there is much to be learned from this sword.. I will not be in twin cities but perhaps I need to find another place to look at this one... it is not about the value but rather the true history.... I believe that drives most of us in this wild and crazy hobby!

Thank you, Scott