Help Identify Japanese Sword

[qochoc]

I just picked this and another Sword, I did not pay a whole lot for Either sword. The Story is that both of these swords are GI bring backs from the pacific.

Here are pictures of the first sword and its in rough condition.












I will post the second sword tonight

Thanks

Jim Pharris

[qochoc]

Here is the second sword

[GHP]

real quick (dinner's on the table).

First sword signed
正清

Masakiyo

Second sword is a stainless steel Navy arsenal sword; the hamon -- temper line -- is cosmetic and will disappear if you polish it. I have one with the same stamp and it was confiscated by Japanese officials when it didn't pass the examination. I got it back because a friend's father had influence.

Cheers,
--Guy

[qochoc]

Is the first sword worth having anything done with it. the blade has some rust and scabbard is missing the throat piece?

thanks

Jim

[Stu W]

Hi Jim,

You will need to have someone with expertise examine the sword to determine if a polish is worth doing. Either of Benson in Hawaii or Becerra in Florida would be good choices. If there is a local sword club in your area their members might be a good first step to determine if there are any obvious fatal flaws. A good polish will run you about 125 USD per inch of blade.

Here is a link to Moses Becerra ...

http://www.nihontoantiques.com/

As for the second sword I always wonder about these ones. Navy arsenal blade, civilian tsuba, Army company grade officer tassel and a tsuka that appears to be a mix of Shin and Kai gunto parts. Some references (I believe the current work by Dawson does although I don't have it at hand to confirm) describe these as authentic late war products while others question whether or not they may have been post war assembled and distributed as souvenirs to GIs. I don't know which is correct. Perhaps both?

Regards,
Stu

[gunto]

The only thing on second sword that says navy is the stamp on the blade , all other fittings screams shingunto.
I dont belive its navy.

[qochoc]

Thanks everyone for the information

[Stu W]

The only thing on second sword that says navy is the stamp on the blade , all other fittings screams shingunto.
I dont belive its navy.

Hi gunto,

I agree with you about the fittings but how about the same? I normally associate black with Navy not Army.

Has anyone got their Dawson at hand? If so can they check on these? I'm sure I recall a mention of a late war issue Shin-gunto with Kai-gunto parts, or it may have been a Kai-gunto with Shin-gunto parts.

Regards,
Stu

[reeder3]

Stu, I was wondering the same on the tsuka. The saya looks like it could be the shark skin kai gunto saya. I am looking at pics on my phone and am colorblind so could easily be wrong here lol.

[gunto]

The tsuka looks to have canvas under ito and saya is wood with black laquer.