Help me Id" this sword

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Help me Id" this sword

Posted: 12/19/2009 3:37:03 PM EDT

I dont know much about it? Please help me Id this. I purchased about 5 years ago. My camera sucks up close, I need a new one. There is writing on the blade, but I can not get a good closeup of it, and I obviously cant replicate the characters... It has eagle markings over a snake skin like wrapping and older swastikas. they are appear old or at least put together with older techniques, Damascus blade... Any input would be helpful..

Posted: 12/19/2009 3:40:06 PM EDT

[#1]

Japanese blade - probably post 1900

ETA - the blades carried by NCO's and Officer's in the Japanese Forces was of a "damascus" style construction, like the "samurai swords" that preceded them in age and spirit, but cost and proudciton factors made the later blades a little less finished - thus small detail s show up - like the visible folds/layers.

The swastika, while co-opted by the NSDAP, are symbols that have appeared around the globe, including asia, for centuries.

Posted: 12/19/2009 3:41:37 PM EDT

[#2]

How are values assessed when it comes to things of this nature?

Posted: 12/19/2009 3:43:51 PM EDT

[#3]

Posted: 12/19/2009 3:43:58 PM EDT

[#4]

Is it a Hanzo

Posted: 12/19/2009 3:44:29 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
http://i47.tinypic.com/2my4z5s.jpg

Posted: 12/19/2009 3:45:35 PM EDT

[#6]

Unfortunately (based on those pictures), it looks like a cheap Chinese copy of a Japanese blade. If so, it's basically worthless, other than for decorative purposes. Sorry.

If you can post more detailed photos that are in better focus, I can be certain, but I'm 99% sure it's a cheap fake.

Posted: 12/19/2009 3:46:05 PM EDT

[#7]

I guess I should have known that was coming!

Posted: 12/19/2009 3:46:57 PM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:

http://i47.tinypic.com/2my4z5s.jpg

i knew that was coming when i read the thread title

Posted: 12/19/2009 4:08:13 PM EDT

[#9]

At first I thought it was a Shin Gunto, the wartime sword, but it's not. The blade is really shitty quality, even for a late war blade so it might be some kinda tourist thing. Also, the scabbards were metal not leather and the decorations would be cherry blossoms, not eagles and swastikas.

Posted: 12/19/2009 4:11:00 PM EDT

[#10]

Posted: 12/19/2009 4:14:20 PM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:

http://i421.photobucket.com/albums/pp297/jfrankparnell/looks-sharp-eh.jpg?t=1261271411

IT'S SHINY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted: 12/19/2009 4:18:05 PM EDT

[#12]

The blade does not show any sort of "wave" polish, nor is it "V" blade, but rather, just a blade, The hilt (not good w/ sword part verbage) has made of wood, covered w/ the wrap and what looks like copper..

Posted: 12/19/2009 4:27:30 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:

Unfortunately (based on those pictures), it looks like a cheap Chinese copy of a Japanese blade. If so, it's basically worthless, other than for decorative purposes. Sorry.

If you can post more detailed photos that are in better focus, I can be certain, but I'm 99% sure it's a cheap fake.

That's exactly what I was thinking. Most of the Chinese fakes, the bad and cheap ones at least, have that way overdone damascus wave pattern in the steel.

Posted: 12/19/2009 4:29:14 PM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:

Unfortunately (based on those pictures), it looks like a cheap Chinese copy of a Japanese blade. If so, it's basically worthless, other than for decorative purposes. Sorry.

If you can post more detailed photos that are in better focus, I can be certain, but I'm 99% sure it's a cheap fake.

Quoted:

At first I thought it was a Shin Gunto, the wartime sword, but it's not. The blade is really shitty quality, even for a late war blade so it might be some kinda tourist thing. Also, the scabbards were metal not leather and the decorations would be cherry blossoms, not eagles and swastikas.

That makes perfect sense.

I've never seen a Shin Gunto with swastikas or that style of scabbard myself. Usually it's plain metal and chyrsanthemums, occasionally a family Tsuba.

Chinese copy of a Shin Gunto? What the f*ck won't they copy?

Posted: 12/19/2009 4:29:57 PM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:

Quoted:

Unfortunately (based on those pictures), it looks like a cheap Chinese copy of a Japanese blade. If so, it's basically worthless, other than for decorative purposes. Sorry.

If you can post more detailed photos that are in better focus, I can be certain, but I'm 99% sure it's a cheap fake.

That's exactly what I was thinking. Most of the Chinese fakes, the bad and cheap ones at least, have that way overdone damascus wave pattern in the steel.

I've never seen cheap damascus

Posted: 12/19/2009 4:55:39 PM EDT

[#16]

Here is a really rough version of what the writing on the base of one side of the blade is, I am sorry for the lack of eligance, the letters are much prettier on blade

Any Idea to translation?

"Made in China"

Posted: 12/19/2009 5:13:02 PM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:

Unfortunately (based on those pictures), it looks like a cheap Chinese copy of a Japanese blade. If so, it's basically worthless, other than for decorative purposes. Sorry.

If you can post more detailed photos that are in better focus, I can be certain, but I'm 99% sure it's a cheap fake.

I'm not as much of an expert as DK-Prof is but I concur. It has all the hallmarks of a Chinese fake of a kind that was commonly found on ebay fairly recently,

advertised as a WWII leftover, but made in a fashion so crude that any Japanese smith with any self respect would have killed himself before letting it get out the door.

Everything is wrong, nothing is right. I can't believe for one moment, based on what I do see, that it's anything but a cheap Chinese fake.

CJ

Posted: 12/19/2009 5:39:38 PM EDT

[#18]

Well the good thing is even if it is just junk, I did not pay that much, and it was money spent along time ago...I have always been curious about it, but looking on ebay just now, there are a bunch of forgeries...

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Help me Id" this sword

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