Please Help Me Identify These Two Swords

M

masters2010

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Jun 7, 2014
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Hi there, I have two swords that I would like to identify and sell. I don't really have any information about them at all, so anything helps. I believe the smaller sword features an ivory handle and scabbard. Suggested sale prices would also be helpful. Thanks!

Photos are here: http://imgur.com/a/VSzME
 
No seppa on the top one. (not a good sign ). The second is pretty interesting though it kinda looks like a souvenir to me. neat looking.
 
The tanto is bone, not ivory, and a recent tourist piece or internet "antique" hoax. They crank them out in China by the thousands. I have seen many, and they all look like yours. The carving is always newer looking than the blade, and the carving skill is usually pretty poor/amateurish, and shallow cut.

The photos don't show enough detail to be positive, but the katana looks like a Chinese wall hanger to me.
 
I wouldn't mind seeing some better close up photos of the katana. Is there any hamon, or visible grain in the steel? How 'bout some close-ups of the fittings? Chinese fakes are usually very poor quality; I can't tell from your photos. At the least, the wrapping doesn't look too bad from a distance, since the diamond shapes are fairly even; the fakes are usually terrible with haphazard wrapping.
 
Some of those bone tanto are Japanese, but they're not Nihonto. Post war souveniers. My gut tells me that Kat is Chinese.
 
Sell the tanto for $20, it is basic junk. All I have seen had blades made from oil drums or something.

I still think the katana is a Chinese wall hanger. It is better looking than some, but the metal flake saya and terrible koigughi says that it wasn't made to be used. The cast fittings look like what is sold on eBay for $30 a set. Habaki is plain, but seems well fitted. It looks like the best part in the photos. Sword might fetch $50-100, depending on the blade. Have someone who knows swords take a look at it in person. I would not cut with it without someone experienced saying it is OK.
 
Too bad about the tanto. Somebody took some time to carve that. Maybe you could have a functional blade put in there and have a decent display item, I dunno. It has some value just as a conversation piece. I figured it was bone, ivory doesn't have those holes.
 
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