Japanese or Chinese sword?

[Military Trader]

This guy I know got in four old swords and this is one of them. It looks like a Chinese style I have seen but there was a Japanese dress sword in the group.
Just wondering what you all thought.

Thanks for your time and expertise.

Dennis

[Military Trader]

2

[Military Trader]

3

[Military Trader]

4

[Stu W]

Looks like a salty wood grip Artillery sword. Have a look half way down the page here...

http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/civilian.htm

Regards,
Stu

[Military Trader]

I do believe you're right -- I sure thought it would be older than WW2 vintage. The guy is convinced its 1700s so I'm sure he'll have 3 or 4 hundred on it.

Thank's again Stu.

[Stu W]

I'm without my reference books at the moment but if memory serves me the wooden handle swords were produced in the 1880s through 1890s and are not rare or even scarce. The reference in the linked article to "late war" does not refer to WWII. Frankly, in that shape, and without scabbard, it's almost valueless in my view to any collector of Japanese edged weapons.

Regards,
Stu

[Military Trader]

I hear you -- its almost relic shape. He only paid $25 for it from some old lady (along with 3 others) but he won't be convinced its not a rare antique and will put at least 4 hundred no matter what I report to him.

[Stu W]

I hear you -- its almost relic shape. He only paid $25 for it from some old lady (along with 3 others) but he won't be convinced its not a rare antique and will put at least 4 hundred no matter what I report to him.

I know what you mean. The trouble comes later when some idiot pays that much for it and he thinks you tried to screw him over.

Regards,
Stu

[J7W22007]

In photo #3

first row: （from right to left) 廠工兵砲京東　　Imperial Japanese Army Tokyo Arsenal

second row : (from right to left) 製年三廿治明　Meiji 23 year manufacture (1890)

here is the reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koishikawa_arsenal

Best Regards,

Taka

[Military Trader]

Thanks for that translation

[Stu W]

Hello Taka,

Thank you for posting that link. It's an interesting article and a bit of a history lesson.

Regards,
Stu

[J7W22007]

Hi Stu,

glad to help out, no problem!

Taka

[J7W22007]

Thanks for that translation

Anytime, Dennis.

Taka

[Military Trader]

I hear you -- its almost relic shape. He only paid $25 for it from some old lady (along with 3 others) but he won't be convinced its not a rare antique and will put at least 4 hundred no matter what I report to him.

Actually he has it priced at $3500 now