Katana identification

**MAP** · 12-11-2015, 03:44 AM

by Alan M

I have really enjoyed this thread and the journey you have had with your sword Michael . Great to see the before and after photos , the ugly duckling has become a beautiful swan once more , a sweet looking blade .

Thanks Al,

A journey that still has not ended. This sword will be leaving me again as I need to send the sword back to Moses. I would like to present this blade to the Shinsa. There is one early in 2016. Given my work schedule I'm not sure I can get it to him in time so it may have to wait until August. But once it has been presented and if accepted, it will get authenticated and I will get the paperwork.

Stay tuned (may be another year!)

**BOB COLEMAN** · 12-11-2015, 05:16 AM

With an unsigned blade, the attribution is a best guess by the shinsa team. This is especially true with older men who are suffering from jet lag. I recall one unsigned katana that had three separate sets of papers. One to a mid 16th c. smith, the second to a late 17th c. smith and the third to a mid 19th c. smith. Two of the certificates came from the same organization. Unless the work is very distinctive, you may receive an attribution to a sword making group and an approximate age of the blade. The most important thing is to enjoy your blade for what it is and not what someone else says it may be.

**MAP** · 12-11-2015, 05:31 AM

Thanks Bob. Really appreciate the advice. Again!!

**timothy** · 01-19-2016, 05:15 AM

Beautiful sword there MAP! I have had several old gunto mounted swords through the years that had blades in need of polish or restoration not to mention one with bullet nicks on scabbard and blade glad you have the resources to restore it most collectors I know don't including myself. timothy

**MAP** · 01-19-2016, 05:47 AM

by timothy

Beautiful sword there MAP! I have had several old gunto mounted swords through the years that had blades in need of polish or restoration not to mention one with bullet nicks on scabbard and blade glad you have the resources to restore it most collectors I know don't including myself. timothy

Thanks Timothy.

It took over a year to restore and during that time I scrimped and saved to make it happen. To me it was about saving a real piece of history and less about having a show off piece or to turn a profit on it.

The way I think about it...this sword was made 500+/- years ago to a true Samurai and then handed down from father to son, cut down/modified over the generations until one sad time in the 1940's it was forever lost and then sat in a closet or garage as war booty until it found its way to me.

Now it has been restored to its former glory somewhat. I just wish it could speak so I could return it to the original rightful owners.

**Tank Destroyer** · 08-29-2019, 12:44 PM

I’m glad to see this thread again and the amazing journey of this sword.

Marty

**MAP** · 09-01-2019, 07:40 PM

by tank destroyer

I’m glad to see this thread again and the amazing journey of this sword.

Marty

Thanks Marty. Glad it popped up again as well. The blade has been in the back of a display case for a number of years so I kind of forget about it. Which is not a good thing.

I should try and take better photos. What do you think?

Those old ones are going on 3 years and are pretty crappy. I have a much better camera now. But it is still very difficult to photograph these and will take quite some time to set up a good photoshoot. This won't fit in my lightbox.

If enough people are interested I'll see if I can find the time.