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Posted: 8/11/2014 10:12:10 AM EDT
Belonged to my gradfather who was a Marine who served in the Pacific during WWII and on Midway.
He passed at the age of 91, still a Marine through and through. Still Marched in the parades and was very active in his VFW until the broken hip did him in. He mentioned that he had someone look at it a decade or so ago and they said it was handmade and worth $5k at the time. I have the handle parts the SEPPA, TSUBA but not the grip (TSUKA) as that deteriorated long ago. I did a little reading on various boards but was wondering if someone could interpret the writing MEI as I came up empty. There is no blood groove and I cannot see a Hamon and have no desire to spend what it takes to polish it if it is not the real deal. I have the scabbard (Saya) but it is WWII The blade has a slight curve when looking down the length, cannot remember if left or right but I read that may further indicate handmade. Thanks 
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Posted: 8/11/2014 10:13:48 AM EDT
[#1]
Paging DK Prof to the white courtesy phone
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Posted: 8/11/2014 10:17:07 AM EDT
[#2]
Tagged for interest
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Posted: 8/11/2014 10:21:12 AM EDT
[#3]
thats a Hattori Hanzo!
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Posted: 8/11/2014 10:23:06 AM EDT
[#4]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
thats a Hattori Hanzo! you must have pretty big rats if you need hattori hanzo steel |
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Posted: 8/11/2014 10:23:29 AM EDT
[#5]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
thats a Hattori Hanzo! 
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Posted: 8/11/2014 10:25:18 AM EDT
[#6]
"One gen-u-ine hari kari knife. Maybe some of you have a use for it. Feel free to pass it around."
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Posted: 8/11/2014 10:30:38 AM EDT
[#7]
Nice
More pictures of the tang would be very helpful. At first glance, I'd guess it's a WW2 production sword - based on the appearance of the tang, but that could just be reflection making me think the tang is newer. If it is ww2 production, it becomes a question of HOW handmade it is - understood in the sense that there are mass-produced "hand made" swords from ww2 which are not particlarly desireable or collectible (worth maybe $1000-1200 or so), there are decently made "hand made" swords from ww2 which were made properly by relatively skilled smiths, which are somewhat desired by collectors (worth maybe $1600-$3000), and then there are highly desirable "hand made" blades made by famous smiths that can be worth considerably more. Examples of these can include Yasukuni Shrine swords, that many collectors really like, and can cost a lot of money. Ultimately you will want to set up an account over at the Nihonto Message Board, and post detailed pictures of the tang. Those guys over there will be able to translate the inscription and tell you when it was made and who made it. That will then give you a good idea of whether or not you want to spend the money on a polish to get it properly restored. |
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Posted: 8/11/2014 10:34:59 AM EDT
[#8]
Is op on the way to Walmart to buy watermelons? I hope so.
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Posted: 8/11/2014 10:39:25 AM EDT
[#9]
Pics of the blade look like it may have a grain pattern which would be a good sign. Could be some kind of photo artifact since there is not close up on the blade.
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Posted: 8/11/2014 10:40:17 AM EDT
[#10]
IBIT
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Posted: 8/11/2014 10:40:28 AM EDT
[#11]
The other side of the Tang should have the date on it. In Japanese not numbers.
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Posted: 8/11/2014 10:41:20 AM EDT
[#12]
Just because this is GD..... El ohhhhhhh El.
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Posted: 8/11/2014 10:42:28 AM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Nice
More pictures of the tang would be very helpful. At first glance, I'd guess it's a WW2 production sword - based on the appearance of the tang, but that could just be reflection making me think the tang is newer. If it is ww2 production, it becomes a question of HOW handmade it is - understood in the sense that there are mass-produced "hand made" swords from ww2 which are not particlarly desireable or collectible (worth maybe $1000-1200 or so), there are decently made "hand made" swords from ww2 which were made properly by relatively skilled smiths, which are somewhat desired by collectors (worth maybe $1600-$3000), and then there are highly desirable "hand made" blades made by famous smiths that can be worth considerably more. Examples of these can include Yasukuni Shrine swords, that many collectors really like, and can cost a lot of money. Ultimately you will want to set up an account over at the Nihonto Message Board, and post detailed pictures of the tang. Those guys over there will be able to translate the inscription and tell you when it was made and who made it. That will then give you a good idea of whether or not you want to spend the money on a polish to get it properly restored. I had read a little over their but am almost afraid to step in. When I am back at the house I will try to get better pics of the tang. I read enough not to mess with the rust on the tang and the blade has a clear grease on it. When my grandparents moved from NY to Cali he tucked it up in the rafters of his garage where it sat for 41 years, thankfuly they had no humidity. Thanks |
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Posted: 8/11/2014 10:43:24 AM EDT
[#14]
This will give you a little bit of understanding on the markings.
http://quanonline.com/military/military_reference/japanese/signatures.html |
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Posted: 8/11/2014 10:44:04 AM EDT
[#15]
Tang says Shintaro Ginsu made that, and he tested it on a tin can before slicing a ripe tomato.
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Posted: 8/11/2014 10:45:03 AM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
This will give you a little bit of understanding on the markings. http://quanonline.com/military/military_reference/japanese/signatures.html |
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Posted: 8/11/2014 10:45:13 AM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I had read a little over their but am almost afraid to step in. When I am back at the house I will try to get better pics of the tang. I read enough not to mess with the rust on the tang and the blade has a clear grease on it. When my grandparents moved from NY to Cali he tucked it up in the rafters of his garage where it sat for 41 years, thankfuly they had no humidity. Thanks Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Nice More pictures of the tang would be very helpful. At first glance, I'd guess it's a WW2 production sword - based on the appearance of the tang, but that could just be reflection making me think the tang is newer. If it is ww2 production, it becomes a question of HOW handmade it is - understood in the sense that there are mass-produced "hand made" swords from ww2 which are not particlarly desireable or collectible (worth maybe $1000-1200 or so), there are decently made "hand made" swords from ww2 which were made properly by relatively skilled smiths, which are somewhat desired by collectors (worth maybe $1600-$3000), and then there are highly desirable "hand made" blades made by famous smiths that can be worth considerably more. Examples of these can include Yasukuni Shrine swords, that many collectors really like, and can cost a lot of money. Ultimately you will want to set up an account over at the Nihonto Message Board, and post detailed pictures of the tang. Those guys over there will be able to translate the inscription and tell you when it was made and who made it. That will then give you a good idea of whether or not you want to spend the money on a polish to get it properly restored. I had read a little over their but am almost afraid to step in. When I am back at the house I will try to get better pics of the tang. I read enough not to mess with the rust on the tang and the blade has a clear grease on it. When my grandparents moved from NY to Cali he tucked it up in the rafters of his garage where it sat for 41 years, thankfuly they had no humidity. Thanks The Nihinto Board is a very friendly and helpful board. They were nice enough to help me with two different blades. |
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Posted: 8/11/2014 10:47:18 AM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Tang says Shintaro Ginsu made that, and he tested it on a tin can before slicing a ripe tomato. That's swingset! 
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Posted: 8/11/2014 10:49:54 AM EDT
[#19]
OP, Can you take a few shots of the blade and handle for us.
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Posted: 8/11/2014 10:54:14 AM EDT
[#20]
Thats a real Hanwei Practicle XL, well maybe not, wheres the hologram?
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Posted: 8/11/2014 10:56:35 AM EDT
[#21]
No tape??
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Posted: 8/11/2014 10:58:38 AM EDT
[#22]
Cold Steel
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Posted: 8/11/2014 11:04:40 AM EDT
[#23]
Some brillo and flitz on that handle will make it really purty and shiny like!
Just kidding by the way, don't touch the rust and shit on there. |
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Posted: 8/11/2014 11:08:12 AM EDT
[#24]
Yup, that is definitely a ninja sword.
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Posted: 8/11/2014 11:37:38 AM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
The Nihinto Board is a very friendly and helpful board. They were nice enough to help me with two different blades. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Nice
More pictures of the tang would be very helpful. At first glance, I'd guess it's a WW2 production sword - based on the appearance of the tang, but that could just be reflection making me think the tang is newer. If it is ww2 production, it becomes a question of HOW handmade it is - understood in the sense that there are mass-produced "hand made" swords from ww2 which are not particlarly desireable or collectible (worth maybe $1000-1200 or so), there are decently made "hand made" swords from ww2 which were made properly by relatively skilled smiths, which are somewhat desired by collectors (worth maybe $1600-$3000), and then there are highly desirable "hand made" blades made by famous smiths that can be worth considerably more. Examples of these can include Yasukuni Shrine swords, that many collectors really like, and can cost a lot of money. Ultimately you will want to set up an account over at the Nihonto Message Board, and post detailed pictures of the tang. Those guys over there will be able to translate the inscription and tell you when it was made and who made it. That will then give you a good idea of whether or not you want to spend the money on a polish to get it properly restored. I had read a little over their but am almost afraid to step in. When I am back at the house I will try to get better pics of the tang. I read enough not to mess with the rust on the tang and the blade has a clear grease on it. When my grandparents moved from NY to Cali he tucked it up in the rafters of his garage where it sat for 41 years, thankfuly they had no humidity. Thanks The Nihinto Board is a very friendly and helpful board. They were nice enough to help me with two different blades. Yes, they really are. And while some of them seem like that can be a little bit testy at times, they all tend to be VERY helpful towards people that are new. Whether testy or friendly, however, they WILL absolutely be able to translate the mei and probably tell you exactly when & where the sword was made. If it's a WW2 blade, it's possible that it's hard to track down the individual smith, because a lot of swords were made - but usually they come through with specific information about the smith. |
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Posted: 8/11/2014 11:50:09 AM EDT
[#26]
I'm far from being an expert but my feelings with this one is rather good.
The Mei on WW2 machine-made blades are generally cruder than this, here the chisel strokes are well-made. And I can't see the name of the city of Seki where many of the lowest quality blades were made. And you must already know this but it's an officer sword not an NCO one. |
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Posted: 8/11/2014 11:51:53 AM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I'm far from being an expert but my felling with this one is rather good. The Mei on WW2 machine-made blades are generally cruder than this, here the chisel strokes are well-made. And I can't see the name of the city of Seki where many of the lowest quality blades were made. And you must already know this but it's an officer sword not an NCO one. If it is a ww2 blade, one of the really important questions will be whether or not there's a small arsenal stamp on the upper part of the tang. |
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Posted: 8/11/2014 11:52:21 AM EDT
[#28]
I tried looking it up by radical, but I did not see anything resembling what is on yours. Try swordforum.
ETA: what DK said
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Posted: 8/11/2014 11:53:05 AM EDT
[#29]
That's Musashi's lost sword!
Kidding, I have no idea. Cool though.
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Posted: 8/11/2014 11:56:50 AM EDT
[#30]
Not an expert in any stretch, but my guess considering where/when he got it, is that it's a jap officers sword. Outside of that I have no idea
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Posted: 8/11/2014 12:01:17 PM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Not an expert in any stretch, but my guess considering where/when he got it, is that it's a jap officers sword. Outside of that I have no idea It's most definitely an officers sword. Question is was it made in that era if so what level of quality. It could also be a very old family sword that was mounted in military mounts. |
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Posted: 8/11/2014 12:12:50 PM EDT
[#32]
OST as I love these threads.
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Posted: 8/11/2014 12:18:34 PM EDT
[#33]
Love these threads!
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Posted: 8/11/2014 12:28:06 PM EDT
[#34]
Bottom kanji looks like "yuki/ko", I don't recognize the kanji on top... Middle character looks like the Hiragana "oh"... .02
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Posted: 8/12/2014 6:48:13 AM EDT
[#35]
Tagged for sword update
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Posted: 8/12/2014 6:55:07 AM EDT
[#36]
that's really cool. Whether it's worth 50 bucks or 50 thousand, it's so cool your grandfather had that and it was connected to his service. Neat story and neat blade. I'm fascinated by those swords and wish I had the money or the knowledge to collect them. It'd be wasted on me though so I just read about them.....
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Posted: 8/12/2014 7:03:24 AM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Love these threads! |
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Posted: 8/12/2014 7:08:03 AM EDT
[#38]
Very cool.
I'm very envious. |
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Posted: 8/12/2014 7:11:53 AM EDT
[#39]
Nice find , You should wrap the handle in duct tape and cut up carpet rolls on youtube with it . Just kidding trust DK he knows about sharp Japanese stuff
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Posted: 8/12/2014 7:16:38 AM EDT
[#40]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Bottom kanji looks like "yuki/ko", I don't recognize the kanji on top... Middle character looks like the Hiragana "oh"... .02 I'm going to go with the top character being a sloppy hiragana "ha", making the whole thing Haoyuki, which is a Japanese first name. |
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Posted: 8/12/2014 7:22:48 AM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Nice find , You should wrap the handle in duct tape and cut up carpet rolls on youtube with it . Just kidding trust DK he knows about sharp Japanese stuff I like the dude on Antiques Roadshow who had his dad's sword from the Pacific, and every year on the 4th of July he'd bring it out and slice open a watermellon with it. The appraiser was like, "Well, you need to stop doing that, because this is much older than WW2 by about 200 years, and it's worth $25,000." 
(Or whatever the value/age was, it was lots/old.) ETA: Nevermind, my memory is a fucking liar. It was a CSA sword, and the whole thing was staged for publicity. http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2001-07-08/news/0107080276_1_juno-sword-antiques-roadshow |
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Posted: 8/12/2014 7:58:24 AM EDT
[#42]
Be careful OP.
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Posted: 8/12/2014 8:01:14 AM EDT
[#43]
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Posted: 8/12/2014 11:33:49 AM EDT
[#44]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
OST as I love these threads. |
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Posted: 8/12/2014 11:41:38 AM EDT
[#45]
What's it cost to have it polished?
If it's a family heirloom and not a machine made blade, I'd restore it completely.
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Posted: 8/12/2014 11:51:09 AM EDT
[#46]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
What's it cost to have it polished? If it's a family heirloom and not a machine made blade, I'd restore it completely. Several grand to have it done right. |
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Posted: 8/12/2014 11:53:57 AM EDT
[#47]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Several grand to have it done right. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
What's it cost to have it polished? If it's a family heirloom and not a machine made blade, I'd restore it completely. Several grand to have it done right. So if it's not a valuable heirloom, hit it with some steel wool and Flitz and call it good. |
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Posted: 8/12/2014 11:59:39 AM EDT
[#48]
Tag.
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Posted: 8/12/2014 12:11:07 PM EDT
[#49]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Several grand to have it done right. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
What's it cost to have it polished? If it's a family heirloom and not a machine made blade, I'd restore it completely. Several grand to have it done right. That is correct. There are one or two polishers in the U.S. who can do a REALLY good job ... which obviously saved the hassle, cost and risk of sending a blade to Japan. For a full-length katana, the polishing cost would be somewhere between $2000 and $3000. Famous polishers in Japan will have waiting lists longer than that, and be more expensive. Of the few people in the U.S. who can do a great job, someone like David Hofhine has a waiting list that is close to two years. I'm currently on his list for a wakizashi. My blade doesn't actually NEED a new polish, but I want it repolished in a different polishing style (sashikomi) which we both agree will suit the blade better.
Another ARFCOMMER had him restore and repolish a WW-2 bringback, which was a very nice 17th century blade. And the transformation is amazing! |
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Posted: 8/12/2014 12:18:13 PM EDT
[#50]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
That is correct. There are one or two polishers in the U.S. who can do a REALLY good job ... which obviously saved the hassle, cost and risk of sending a blade to Japan. For a full-length katana, the polishing cost would be somewhere between $2000 and $3000. Famous polishers in Japan will have waiting lists longer than that, and be more expensive. Of the few people in the U.S. who can do a great job, someone like David Hofhine has a waiting list that is close to two years. I'm currently on his list for a wakizashi. My blade doesn't actually NEED a new polish, but I want it repolished in a different polishing style (sashikomi) which we both agree will suit the blade better.
Another ARFCOMMER had him restore and repolish a WW-2 bringback, which was a very nice 17th century blade. And the transformation is amazing! Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
What's it cost to have it polished? If it's a family heirloom and not a machine made blade, I'd restore it completely. Several grand to have it done right. That is correct. There are one or two polishers in the U.S. who can do a REALLY good job ... which obviously saved the hassle, cost and risk of sending a blade to Japan. For a full-length katana, the polishing cost would be somewhere between $2000 and $3000. Famous polishers in Japan will have waiting lists longer than that, and be more expensive. Of the few people in the U.S. who can do a great job, someone like David Hofhine has a waiting list that is close to two years. I'm currently on his list for a wakizashi. My blade doesn't actually NEED a new polish, but I want it repolished in a different polishing style (sashikomi) which we both agree will suit the blade better.
Another ARFCOMMER had him restore and repolish a WW-2 bringback, which was a very nice 17th century blade. And the transformation is amazing! pics of before and afters? or link to thread |
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