Help with Japanese sword

[webable]

Hello, I recently purchased this sword and wanted to know if it is really a Mitsuyo sword. Also If anyone has an idea as to value, age, maker that would be appreciated.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54021129@N08/4993174704/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54021129@N08/4993173398/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54021129@N08/4992566557/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54021129@N08/4993173634/

Thank you

Information

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[lgabrick]

I train in Kendo, Japanese katana fighting. I have seen a lot of katanas and that is a real katana. It looks old and it is a plus the Japanese characters are made by hand and not a machine. It could be a Mitsuyo, I am not an expert. If you really want to know look up a Kendo dojo in your area and ask the sensei there. They have usually had a lot of experience with the weight, look and feel of katanas. It would be hard for anyone to tell definitely through a picture. I don't think you will know for sure with an answer over the internet.How old is the sword? Where did you get the sword, did the last owner say anything about it?

[webable]

Bought the sword on ebay, listing said that it was brought back from the war by a friends grandfather. So the previous owner is really no help.

[cplstevennorton]

It's a Katana alright. But made by who or even machine made? That is the quesiton.

I've had about 10 Japanese Katanas over the years with a couple NCO swords and the rest being officer's swords. I've never seen an handmade blade that had a blood groove in it. That would be a serious red flag to me. I think it would be very hard to hand forge a blade with a blood groove in it. As you have to fold it and pound it flat. I doubt you could do that with a bloodgroove.

Now WWII machine made blades did have a blood groove, and to me this blade looks machine made. Like one of the Japanese NCO swords. Do a search on google for Japanese NCO sword and this blade looks a lot like that.

I'm not an expert by far. But I would investigate that blood groove. It does have a wavy saiya line, but I've seen those on machine made blades as well. And I've seen those faked.

I woud be very weary of that blade if you paid very much for it. A NCO sword complete can be had for about $500 so I would compare that to what you paid and see if you got a good deal.

I would at least find someone knowledgeable to answer your quesiton. You might have to try a site devoted to Japanese swords to find anyone who can answer you correctly.

This is the only site I ever found that could decipher my Japanese swords I have had over the years. This is the site and I would give them a try.

Japanese Swordsmanship Arts - Sword Forum International

[cplstevennorton]

Did you find an answer to your question?

Just to show and tell. This is the only Japanese sword I have anymore. I've had about 10, but always sold/traded them for something else. But I've held onto this one as it's a really nice one. Hand forged blade that is dated to about 1943-44. Here's a couple pics.