Looking for help identifying sword

**PaulZero** · 07-13-2015, 12:14 AM

Hello! Just received some items from my father, which were passed to him from his father having served in the Royal Marines and SBS during the second world war. One of which is a Japanese sword which we believe may be an officer's katana. From what we've read though the mass produced WW2 swords had a stamp on the blade amongst other things which this blade doesn't have, unless it's hidden under the hilt (which we can't / don't want to remove). What we do know is it dates back to at least 1945, no idea how much older it may be though. Any information or pointers would be greatly appreciated!

Photos on Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/r5mmtuabw...HIwiznU5a?dl=0

**BOB COLEMAN** · 07-13-2015, 12:44 AM

Welcome to the Forum. Please use our photo hosting service as your outside source will eventually make this thread useless without pictures. I believe you have a wakizashi, a short sword, not a katana. It is definitely an older blade. Further information can not be given without having you remove the handle to see if there is a sword maker's signature. Signatures can be valid or old fakes. To remove the handle, there is a tapered wood pin in the handle which needs to ber removed. Once this is done and the handle is taken off either easily of if stuck, with a hammer and a block of wood. Post a picture of the sword tang in a vertical position with the part closest to the cutting edge at the top and the butt end at the bottom. Please also measure the cutting edge of the blade from the tip to the end of the cutting edge.

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**PaulZero** · 07-13-2015, 01:14 AM

Hi Bob thank you very much for your reply! I'll sort the photos out tomorrow. I've attempted to remove the pin however it seems to be made of copper, and pretty firmly embedded in there. I don't believe I could remove it without causing irreparable damage to the sword. The blade is 18cm in length from tip to hilt, sharpened along the entire edge.

I appreciate you can't give me much more information without exposing the signature, however I'm curious as to how old this could potentially be. Are you able to offer a vague (taken with a pinch of salt) age range for a sword of this type?

**PaulZero** · 07-13-2015, 01:29 AM

Sorry I meant 18 inches (so around 45-46cm).

**BOB COLEMAN** · 07-13-2015, 03:52 AM

by PaulZero

Sorry I meant 18 inches (so around 45-46cm).

Definitely a wakizashi, not a katana which is a long sword.

**BOB COLEMAN** · 07-13-2015, 03:56 AM

Please post a good picture of the pin. If copper, it might be a male/female threaded attachment. The can be found threaded both clockwise and counterclockwise

**ghp95134** · 07-13-2015, 04:33 AM

Yah, it looks like a "Chicago screw" type of screw. One side has a convex head; the other end is relatively flat. Lots of patina on the copper (?) screw. It can be removed without damaging the blade.

There is no way of trying to give an approximate age without seeing the tang. But, it is likely older than Taisho period (1912-1926).

The flat side seems to have a horizontal groove -- not for a screwdriver; but perhaps a screwdriver held it in place as the other side was screwed in, thus creating the groove? Click the image to "view image" and it will open full-sized:

--Guy

**PaulZero** · 07-13-2015, 08:00 AM

Thanks for your replies, I've attached photos of the screw. As you can see there seems to be a lot of copper oxide on the screw. Neither side can be rotated easily, it might be possible with greater force but I'm really anxious about damaging it.

**PaulZero** · 07-13-2015, 08:06 AM

Additionally, here are the photos from my first post. Apologies for not including them with that post.

**PaulZero** · 07-14-2015, 09:50 AM

I don't suppose anyone knows of any specialists in North West England who could take a look at this? I've had a Google round but can only find general antique dealers or shops in the South East.

Not looking to sell it, but I'd love to know more about this sword and what I should be insuring it for!