Help identifying old Japanese sword

klug932000 · #1

I know I could join another forum for this but why? I would have one post and leave. Also before we get started I will not take either apart to see the tang.

I'm guessing the first is a late ww2 production sword and the second is a tourist buy during he same era.

What do you guys think?

SolidState · #2

The top sword looks like a shobu zukuri wakizashi. Without seeing the tang, nothing can be determined about maker or time.

The second one looks far more like a production-for-trade sword. That Hamon looks fake on the second one. I'd need both in hand to determine the reality of hamon, and I'd need to do a small polish in order to "open a window" to determine blade quality.

klug932000 · #3

Ya I was thinking along the same lines for the second one. And I am not comfortable taking apart the first one to see the tang. I enjoy both and will never sell them so I rather have a mystery and not risk damaging them.

I am considering adding to my collection, either a sa service or ss dagger.

SolidState · #4

Well, the first one is most likely a showa-to. The wrap looks to be a full wrap with the seam and the emperor node in pretty good placement. That would indicate that there may be some money there. The tsuba doesn't look promising for value, but the blade is where the value is anyway. It may be of use to have a polisher take a look.

klug932000 · #5

The emperor node is what? The copper/brass piece under the wrapping?

Thanks for the info

Stuart Ackerman · #6

The copper brass piece is the menuki