Sword Fittings?

[rbminis]

I need some help.
A friend of mine found these at a antique sale. The quality of the work is very good and I believe that there is actually gold gilt applied to these. The insides are silver and there is a cut out in the bottom that resembles the shape of a japanese sword blade.
I am curious to find out if these are sword fittings ar actually snuff boxes.
Thanks for any help.
Ralph.
This is the first one.

[rbminis]

More of #1.

[rbminis]

Last of #1.

[rbminis]

The second one.

[rbminis]

More of #2.

[rbminis]

More of #2
Thanks in advance for any help.
Ralph.

[gunto]

Yes , its the fuchi and kashira from the handle.
They looks to be very well made ,but later "destroyed"

[rbminis]

Yes , its the fuchi and kashira from the handle.
They looks to be very well made ,but later "destroyed"

Thank you very much!
It is unfortunate, but this is the way they were bought. I felt that they were fittings but was not sure. I am also assuming they are from older swords?
Ralph.

[gunto]

Yes , from old samurai katana or wakizashi.
Your welcome , merry xmas.

[Brian Robinson]

Meiji period, there was not much market for Samurai stuff anymore and the Western export market had opened up hugely. Swords were banned, and the fittings makers had a hard time making a living. Therefore they started making little trinkets for export. In this case, fittings (mediocre ones) were converted to a pill box or other trinket.
You end up seeing brooches, pill boxes, bracelets and any other manner of metalwork with an origin in Japanese sword fittings.
Not sure when this one was done, but probably late 1800's maybe.

Brian

[rbminis]

Many thanks for your input Brian.
Ralph.