Japanese WW2 sword

[Anders L]

Hi, not really my field...
Do everything look ok? Think it was dated 1942.
Value?

[nickn]

Fittings are genuine ww2
Can you post photos of the tang

[Anders L]

Do not have any more photos, sorry.
Are the blades faked? Have seen some very strange ones on ebay..

[Stu W]

Looks like an IJA Officer sword in Type 98 fittings. Not enough of blade is shown for a proper analysis to be made but based solely on what is shown I'd hazard a guess that it's authentic. Value is in the blade, as it is in any edged weapon, so without further information I'd not give an opinion of value beyond saying a standard average condition gunto would range from between 1200-1500 USD and more if the blade is in better condition.

Regards,
Stu

[Stu W]

Do not have any more photos, sorry.
Are the blades faked? Have seen some very strange ones on ebay..

Yes, blades are faked, as are other components.

Regards,
Stu

[BruceP]

Agree with Nick and Stu - legit Type 98 - given current photos. Odd looking mekugi (retention peg) in the handle. If you buy this I’d love to see it when removed.

Very minor point, the seppa (spacer) facing the scabbard seems to have been put on facing backward.

[reeder3]

Sometimes the punch goes through the mekugi as seen here rather than pushing it out.

Legit Type 98. Fittings are in nice shape, but shame about the condition of the blade.

[Anders L]

Thank you everyone for the help, this one was on a antique fair here in Europe.
Was according to the seller a US soldier WW2 bring back and then given to a relative in Austria as a gift. (but as always, buy the item not the story..)

I have been looking at a sword like this at The Show of Shows many times, but then there is the problem to get it down in the suitcase.
Did buy this one for a ok price, and here are some extra photos.
Where can I buy a lanyard loop?

[Anders L]

Very hard to take photos on the blade!!

[BruceP]

Nice one Anders!

December 1942, all matching parts, too! Unusual small stamps. The tiny one by the numbers could be a piece of a Seki stamp. Can't recognize the tiny one above the date.

There are often guys on these forums who can come up with a sarute (tassle loop). I've gotten some from Crimson Mist, Australia, : http://www.cmmilitaryantiques.com/search.php?pcat=3

[GHP]

That second sword is a Kunihiro.

昭和十七年十二月
Showa 17 year [1942], 10th month

國廣
Kunihiro

The photo below from Japanese Sword Index. There are three smiths named Kunihiro on that site.

--Guy

[BruceP]

That second sword is a Kunihiro.

十二月
Showa 17 year [1942], 10th month國廣

--Guy

12 month

[GHP]

12 month

Hi Bruce,


My bad! Thanks for the correction.




--Guy

[Stu W]

Lanyard loop (sarute) and the tassel can be found here ...

http://www.guntoartswords.com/

Doug Austin (Austo1) is a member here and 100% reliable.

Regards,
Stu

[Stu W]

Here's a direct link to the sarute ...

http://www.guntoartswords.com/accessories.html

Regards,
Stu