Trying to get appraised and sell a WW II Japanese sword. Where to go? (Pic Heavy)

C

Crawlin95

Joined
Apr 22, 2012
Messages
3
Hey guys, first time over here in the blade forum but hoping you guys can help me out. I have what I am pretty sure is a Japanese type 32 sword. It looks to be in pretty good shape but not perfect. My question is who do I need to talk to or contact in order to get a detail estimate of condition and value. By the way the serial numbers do match on the blade and sleeve.

Here are a few pictures I just took. I can take more detailed if needed.

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I ask this very respectfully, but why do you classify this as a Japanese sword? I'm far from an expert, but it sure looks like a european style saber. Course, I learn something new every day, so looking forward to your response.
 
I'm the type of person that tries to do as much research as I can before I ask for help. That being said in doing the research, I found a WWII site that had all the swords from that time. I was under the same impression that it would be German or US but I saw a list of Japan swords, one of them looks just like mine.

More research took me in the direction of it being from Japan.

Check out this link and scroll down just a bit. Again I'm looking now for someone to confirm that it is the type 32 and then get some info on condition and value if possiable.

http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/civilian.htm
 
There's a lot of knowledgable people here, I'm sure they will be around. I know the Japanese made a huge number of different types of swords, learn something different every day.
 
It is a type Japanese type 32 cavalry sword. They are common. Watching listings will give an idea of street value. Although the pricing has more or less doubled in the past decade, they are not terribly expensive or rare. IIRC, Bladeforums has some policies regarding appraisal, so I will not off even a ball park value but will say they are not so expensive as to need professional appraisal. The type 32 goes back to the end of the 19th century and there was a significant influence on Japanese military swords at that time.

Cheers

GC
 
Thanks, not asking for a number but would the value increase with matching sn on the blade and sheath or is it just important that it has both?
 
Your sword does appear to be an Army type 32. These were first issued in 1899 in two models "Ko" or first and "Otsu" or second series. The Ko series was for NCO's and Calvary as it was longer with a 39" overall length in the scabbard and a 32.75" nagasa or cutting edge length. The Otsu issued to the foot soldier was 36" overall in the scabbard and had a 30.5" nagasa.

There should be some stamps on the front of the guard, but I am unable to see any in your photos.

I suppose having matching numbers is more desirable than not.

Keep in mind these for the most part are desirable only to military collectors not Japanese sword collectors. Why you may ask, they are not traditionally made so have no aesthetic or artistic merit or value.
 
Generally speaking for modern military swords, matching numbers in this case will not significantly affect value. Scabbards are often considered half the value for run of the mill swords such as these. This sword used to have a leather finger ring attached inside the guard and that does detract on a small scale. Similarly, examples that have a missing or broken latch.

Cheers

GC
 
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