Japanese calvary sword

J

jack aubrey

Joined
Mar 14, 2009
Messages
1
I have this somewhat old sword that is in a general shape of a military saber, but the hilt is decorated with tiny flowers on vines. The handle seems to be covered in snake skin & has a thin hammered brass decoration 3/4's of the way around the handle.
The blade is pocked, but of a chrome like appearance. And, about 8" of the blade is missing.
I was told that if this was in fact a real sword & not a king sized letter opener, that the owner of the sword's family in Japan would be honored to have it back. I am supposing that swords are sacred in some way there.
I am presently attempting to have the decorations of this sword looked at by concerned parties in Japan. I did a pencil rubbing of the decorations.
I'll keep y'all posted!
 
Photographs would do wonders. For what it's worth I doubt you need to worry too much about returning the sword--chances are you wouldn't even be able to ship it into the country due to their very strict weapons laws. And that's even if you can identify the family.
 
Jack: I was just surfing through and saw this. What you may have is a family blade that was converted to a saber hilt. During the late 19th Century some of this did occur as Japan embraced many western concepts. You might look at over on Sword Forum International under one of the Asian sub-forms where there are a few real experts on this. I have a 1902 Japanese saber but it is just that, not a converted Katana.

All My Best
Dwight
 
Though unfortunately Sword Forum is not accepting any new registrations, so the search function will be your only option. :)
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Though unfortunately Sword Forum is not accepting any new registrations, so the search function will be your only option. :)
Click to expand...

Registration has been reopened for a couple of months. You may want to make sure you aren't applying with a gmail addy.

GC
 
horseclover said:
Registration has been reopened for a couple of months. You may want to make sure you aren't applying with a gmail addy.

GC
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I hadn't noticed that it had been reopened. I've been a member for years, so it's not like I've needed to keep an eye on it. :p

In that case I suggest registering there and posting the info on the appropriate subforum. :)
 
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