Any Japanese sword experts here?

[Speedrat]

I have what I believe to be a WWII? type Japanese sword and am looking to find out what it's origin may be and value. Anybody here who can help or know of somebody in the Tulsa area who may know?
Thanks!

Chris

 

[redmax51]

Take it to the Wannamacher Gun Show next month.

 

[R. Johnson]

If it is truly a WWII Japanese Katana then the family of the soldier it belonged to will pay big bucks to get it back. They believe the warrior's soul is in the sword and he cannot rest until the sword is back with the family, or some nonsense.

 

[Speedrat]

Here are some pics:

 

[Speedrat]

More:

 

[Cohiba]

Call Collectors Firearms in Houston.

I use to go to this shop on weekends and there is a guy(I can't remember his name) in the edged weapons area that knows swords.....Japanese...pre&post WWII. He takes them apart and researches them before they sell them.

Ask him for info and resources to help you with your search.

http://collectorsfirearms.com/admin/show_inventory.php?catID=12&subcatID=134

Good Luck!!
Cohiba

 

[Speedrat]

Thanks for the info so far. I will check to see what period it's from and maybe the value if possible.It may be for sale soon if it's worth anything.....

 

[Zombie]

it's worth something but I can't tell you how much off hand...I would guess it is 30s/40s maybe older....

I don't think it's military but I may be wrong...it could be worth anywhere from 100 bucks to a couple thousand

hell I'd make an offer but would have to do a ton of research and try and identify exact timeframe and stuff...

 

[_CY_]

not an expert but have been collecting Japanese swords for some time.

can't see enough details in attached pic's to give an opinion.
what counts is the blade, furniture could have switched many times.

Old Japanese blades represent the apex of edged weapons technology, even today.
key to blade's ID is the bottom two pic's. note temper line of blade.

below blade sold for $1,000

http://www.japanesesword.com/

Gendai Blade in Gunto Mounts
Signature: Mumei
Year Made: Gindai
Forging Pattern: Masame
Tempering Pattern: Suguha
Dimensions: Nagasa: 26 1/8", Nakago: 9", Mihaba: 1 5/16 ", Sakihaba: 1", Kasane: 9/32", Sori: 5/8"
Mountings: WW II gunto with one piece habaki. These are Naval swords that have seen land warfare. Commonly referred to as Marine landing swords and were used in the Pacific theatre by Japanese Naval Landing forces during WW2. Some pretty well done field repair in the upper and lower leather scabbard section. Leather did not hold up very well in the tropical weather of the Pacific islands.
Overall Condition: The blade is in good condition with no forging flaws. The number 830 is stamped in the nakago (see picture). The leather on the saya is rough but all there. The tsuka is solid but about 50% of the material under the ito is gone. The tsuba has some significat rust on one side (see picture). The habaki is in good condition but much of the silver wash is gone.

 

[MoBoost]

Hard to tell from the tiny pics, but it looks like artificially aged Chinese fake. I am no expert - but too many things are out of place.

http://www.jssus.org/nkp/fake_japanese_swords.html