Crappy shape Japanese sword help

[Richard]

Got this in a purchase of some non-military stuff (antiquities, rocks, minerals) and have no idea how much, if anything, this is worth. I will tell you upfront, I have no intention of keeping this and will be selling it, most likely, on eBay. I do know it is missing the retaining pin to hold the blade in the grip and is missing a tsuba. As I know pretty much zero on Japanese blades, I was hoping some here might be able to tell me what this is and what I could reasonably ask.

It is in pretty rough shape with rust, nicks and a slight bend to the blade. The covering on the scabbard is off in many spots as can be seen in the photos. Is the scabbard a sharkskin scabbard? It appears to be some type of skin over the base of the scabbard. What else is missing?

I cannot see any maker's mark on the tang but there is something that looks as if it may be a maker's mark. Too rusty to really tell. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I don't often ask for values on something I intend to sell but I don't know squat on Japanese blades and my research is lacking as I don't know many of the key words to use in a search.
Richard V

[Richard]

Some additional pics.

[Richard]

More

[Richard]

even more

[Richard]

some more

[Richard]

Last

[BruceP]

Richard,

It's a shame it's in such shape. You have a pretty old sword refitted for a WWII Japanese officer. Some of the more experienced collectors here can give you a ballpark idea of the era it was made. Some old blades are worth getting polished, but that runs over $2,000 for a top-quality job (you can get then for as low as $700). Tsuba and seppa can be had for approximately $250.

An average WWII IJA gunto in good shape runs $900-1,400 USD. I've no idea what a normal price would be for one in this condition, but something less.

[Richard]

Thanks for the information Bruce. I didn't think it would be worth very much but it is interesting to find out the blade is old. It is in pretty bad shape with lots of nicks to the blade. Kind of surprising to hear that it can cost up to $2K to have one polished and I assume it must take a great deal of care and effort. Not being familiar at all about Japanese blades, I do remember reading some things about blades being passed on down the generations and assume the blade might have belonged to the family for a long time before the final owner had it fitted as an officer sword.
Richard V

[Bob Coleman]

The family blade story is more myth than reality. A majority of the IJA officer's did not come from the samurai class. If interested, you can have a qualified Japanese trained polisher such as Bob Benson or Moses Becarra put a window in the blade. This is accomplished by polishing a very small section of the blade to determine quality and construction. No matter how bad a blade looks, I would NEVER allow a low priced polisher put a stone or chemical to an old blade.

[GHP]

Bob

I can barely see two kanji, but they are just too faint to make out. Tachimei?

--Guy

[BruceP]

Thanks for the information Bruce. I didn't think it would be worth very much but it is interesting to find out the blade is old. It is in pretty bad shape with lots of nicks to the blade. Kind of surprising to hear that it can cost up to $2K to have one polished and I assume it must take a great deal of care and effort. Not being familiar at all about Japanese blades, I do remember reading some things about blades being passed on down the generations and assume the blade might have belonged to the family for a long time before the final owner had it fitted as an officer sword.
Richard V

Richard, Like Bob said, the likelihood that this came down from a samurai line is slim, but it's still fascinating to have in your hands a blade that is likely hundreds of years old! I have one that is between 400 and 600 years old, refitted in Navy koshirae, with a Fuji family crest on it. It's unsigned and made during a period of much war, so the quality and craftsmanship of the blade is probably low, but I love it! To own a blade that was made while Columbus was sailing the Atlantic is just too cool!

I read an article, possibly supplied by Bob or Nick Komiya, showing a Japanese newspaper article during the war asking families to donate their swords to the war effort. There were shops that collected/bought swords to refit and sell to officers in the army and navy.

Bob, thanks for the tip about window polishing. I had never heard of that option before.

[Bob Coleman]

Bob

I can barely see two kanji, but they are just too faint to make out. Tachimei?

--Guy

I think you are right. It is always better to view the entire nakago less a thumb. I think the blade is worth pursuing. The mounts are shot and I would not pursue trying to restore them. If the blade has some merit, you will want to store it in a shirasaya.
Years ago, I paid an insane price for a blade in similar condition. A Japanese dealer was trying to buy it but was low balling the owner. By the shape, I felt it was Kamakura Period. When I sent the piece to Japan, it fell into a pit of silence. It seems that the Japanese dealer was trying to get me to panic sell it as a mistake. I asked to have a window put in the blade and if it was good, polish it. It ended up being a Yoshioka Ichimonji from the mid 12th c. and had very little ground off the edge. On first attempt, it passed Juyo Token shinsa. If possible, have an expert tell you what you have.

[Richard]

Wow, thanks guys for all the information. I had thought this would be a rather common, 20th century made blade and am fairly intrigued that it could be so old. This is also forcing me to get a quick education as I had no idea what a nakago or shirasaya was until I just now looked it up. Too many midnight movies on the samurai bit about being passed down for generations I suppose.

I had not intended to become this interested as I thought I would just put this out there as a parts sword since this isn't my area of interest, but the fact this thing could be a few hundred years old makes it quite interesting.

Bob any idea on what it costs to have a window put on the sword or how to get hold of Bob Benson or Moses Becarra? When searching for Bob I came up with a place called Bushido in Hawaii. Thanks again for all the information guys. This is turning in to a quite interesting thing for me.
Richard V

[Bob Coleman]

Bob Benson's business is Bushido in Hawaii. Moses business can be found on line under Nihonto Antiques. He is located in Miami. Please let them know I recommended them.

[Richard]

Thanks Bob. I appreciate the information.
Richard V