WW2 Japanees officers sword help

S

Siggyhk

Joined
Feb 8, 2006
Messages
1,645
I don't have any pictures yet, but hopefully will soon. I am hoping to get any info possible on this sword. It was literally taken off a battle field in ww2 and give to my grandfather by anothe US soldier. Unfortunately times have gotten a bit tough, so I am considering selling the sword. It is sharp, brown cord wrap handle, with some sort of white bumpy layer under the cord. There is one wood pin that holds the handle and guard on to the blade. There is some sort of oriental writing ingraved on the tang. The sword locks into the sheath with a small putton that must me pushed tp draw it. The blade is missing part of the tip, and has some light edge damage/denting, I believe there is very light rusting also. The sheath is some type or metal with a brown leather cover. The cover is just starting to come unstitched at the very bottom. There is a flower pattern in a few places on thr sheath and maybe also on the gaurd. The gaurd has multiple layers, but the main piece appears to be bronxe or brass, possibly tarnished copper too. -Any advice or information would be a big help. I hope to get pictures up soon, but it could take some time. Thanks, Joe
 
Sounds like a standard WW II shingunto (military) sword. DON'T attempt to
restore it yourself. More swords ruined that way than any other. A good, clear,
readable picture of the entire writing on the tang is a must.
Check the military swords pages on my website linked below.
Will help if I can.

Rich S

The Japanese Sword Index
http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/nihonto.htm
 
Sounds somewhat like the sword my Dad took from a Japanese officer on Leyte in 1944. The white bumpy material is probably rayskin. Does it have a tassel hanging from the butt? There is a great deal of information on the web about Japanese swords. Some WWII trophy swords were not especially valuable, but others turn out to be centuries old.

My primary advice to you is don't sell it. You may regret it years from now. My father's sword will remain in my family unless I'm without food or my wife needs surgery. It's the very last thing I would sell.
 
Post some pictures. I might be interested in buying it. I have 5 Japanese swords including a WW11 surrender sword that sounds much like yours.
 
I think it is a Shin-gunto, Rich. I'm pretty sure it had a pretty basic leather tassel at one point, but no longer.
I also have a sabre that I think it japanees ww2 era. It has a shiny sheath, black handle with gold colored gaurd. It is unsharpened, so more of a dress sword I'd guess. I haven't spent too much time trying to I.D. it yet, but expect to shortly. I will work on posting some pics asap. Thanks for the help thus far guys.
Also the only reason I'm considering selling these is becuase I'm stuck facing a true s.h.t.f. situation. It's just one of those unfortunate things.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top