Suspiciously clean sword

**kowloon** · 04-01-2020, 01:17 AM

So the estimate for this seems on the low side (£350-450GBP) and the condition, particularly the scabbard seem very good. What do people make of it? There are two other sword which I have been told to post in separate threads. I'm not a collector of Japanese swords but I expect they're much more expensive than this. Is it a repro?

Auction lot link

**Ryoyo** · 04-01-2020, 03:13 AM

Scabbard could be repainted or might just be in good condition (they usually had leather combat covers to protect them), hard to say from these pictures. I think most sword enthusiasts would want some better pictures of the blade and tang before bidding. I don't see any real red flags, the fittings look OK but the blade could be something nice or just run of the mill.

**ghp95134** · 04-01-2020, 08:14 AM

by Ryoyo

Scabbard could be repainted or might just be in good condition (they usually had leather combat covers to protect them), hard to say from these pictures. I think most sword enthusiasts would want some better pictures of the blade and tang before bidding. I don't see any real red flags, the fittings look OK but the blade could be something nice or just run of the mill.

My suspicion is that this is a Chinese-made sword.

I'd like to see a better photo of the blade, especially the kissaki. From the angle, it's hard to tell ... but to me it looks like an NCO blade -- the bouhi extends practically to the ko-kissaki.

Bruce? Bruce? Calling Mr. Bruce Pennington .... opinion requested.
-- Guy

**DaveR** · 04-01-2020, 11:02 AM

No obvious tells on this one. I would say it's legit, and with an factory made arsenal blade as opposed to a traditional.
村田刀 Murata-tō

**Bruce Pennington** · 04-01-2020, 04:31 PM

I have found that auction houses respond quickly to requests for specific photos. I'd write to them, if you're interested, and ask for photos of the nakago. I agree the saya is quite new looking but from the pics, seems legit, so maybe Ryoyo's point would explain it.

My gut feel is with Dave - it's one of those blades made by the Type 95 factories, but ordered by an officer, because of the sword shortage. I've seen a few of them showing up lately.