Assisting a widow in determining what this item is. Navy corpsman bring back. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
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Assisting a widow in determining what this item is. Navy corpsman bring back. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
Not an expert. Looks like a low end Shin Gunto in good condition. Very nice to have the document. My father was a Pharmasist Mate 3rd class on Uss Kenton APA 122.Wish he had brought more home than bad memories.
Interesting piece, how long is it over all? How long is the blade?
Approximately 40" overall. 30" blade length including habaki. The habaki is a little loose against the nakago.
Quote:
Originally Posted by browningautorifle
It look's like a Navy, which is worth several hundred dollars more then the Army Officers sword, that one look's like the blade has been cleaned [scratch marks], should have been left alone. it's hard to tell on the value, I have an excellent 1943 Military Officer's sword WW 2 [not a family sword hand made, BIG BUCKS] The value on mine is $1200, if that one is a "WW 2 machine made" and the blade cleaned by a prof. I would say around $1500-$1700.
I am a long way from a Sword expert, I know just enough to get myself in trouble, I only own one.
It would help if the handle was off where you could see the writing on the sword.
So, 30" would make it a Katana wouldn't it? This stolen from Wiki, if you can believe them.
The length of the Katana blade varied considerably during the course of its history. In the late 14th and early 15th centuries, katana blades tended to have lengths between 70 and 73 cm (27½ and 28½ in). During the early 16th century, the average length approached closer to 60 cm (23½ in).
I think you are right Jim, I know their was a standard length [reg.] for WW 2 swords. many would take their family sword to war with them but would have to have them cut to meet the military reg's. and many of the 14th and 15th century hand made high value swords were ruined because of this.
The older hand made ones made by the masters in good shape [not cut] are worth a lot of money $20,000-$200,000 or more depending on the master, just a guess.
Remember, I only own one sword and access to the internet. jmo.
Here's a pic. of my WW 2 sword, it's a Army Officer's, never been sharpened.
sorry about the poor pic.
Very nice sword... We'll need to see the OP's blade stripped for details before we can help much. That's probably why the others haven't come in yet.
You're right. Problem is I am not the owner. I will contact the owner this week. I am not sure exactly how to disassemble it and I really dont want to buy it.
---------- Post added at 02:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:32 PM ----------
late war boos?
Quote:
Originally Posted by lboos
Yes, I would think late war.
That can all be found by asking Google the same question. There's a bamboo shoot crosspin holding the handle on. Tap it out ans it all slides off...Quote:
Originally Posted by gtodan
If you do attempt to remove the handle remember the 1st safety rule when handling these swords, always have the point of the sword toward the ground no matter what, that esp. includes removing it and putting it back in the scabbard, if the point is pointing up and you drop it, it is natural to grab it to prevent damage to the sword. even though these swords are very old, they can still be as sharp as a razor and with the handle on are very heavy, and trying to stop the sword from sliding through your hand by tighten your grip is not a good idea, esp. when lubricated by your body fluids.
Just a thought. ;)
I had that very thing happen in about 1976. I had a Japanese Navy Katana in the barracks and was showing it to my peers from the other companies. One clod about dropped it, bare blade and caught it by the blade. He cut the pad of his index finger, right next to the hand about as deep as possible without severing...off to the medics for stitches...I can even remember his name. By the way, the sword wasn't the least remorseful.
Matter of fact, if you can clamp the blade in a leather protected affair before starting stripping, you'll be magic...that will hold it secure.
That blade looks really rough - but it maybe the pictures. Are those scratches or actual flaws, cracks for lack of a better term. If they are cracks the value drops pretty dramatically.