Looking for help identifying sword

[PaulZero]

It can be removed without damaging the blade.

I've attempted to gently coerce it with some pliers but it would appear both ends of the screw are fused, I can rotate one end a very small amount back and forth but the piece on the other side spins with it. I can't get any leverage on it, or much grip what with it being copper, and I don't want to get too forceful with it. To be fair it was probably over 70 years since they were screwed together...

What is the value of this screw? If I destroy it to remove the handle can I easily replace it with a modern alternative whilst still retaining the value and integrity of the sword?

[ghp95134]

...What is the value of this screw? If I destroy it to remove the handle can I easily replace it with a modern alternative whilst still retaining the value and integrity of the sword?

No value to the screw unless it is solid gold or silver ... even then, the only value would be for its uniqueness. Retaining pins [mekugi] were replaced throughout the life of the sword.

Seeing that the furniture is civilian, my guess is that the wooden retaining pin was lost and the screw was used as a field-expedient replacement (which would probably make sense to the owner after he lost the original pin).

--Guy

[BOB COLEMAN]

Finding a replacement device such as the one on your sword would be impossible. I am sure there is an artisan in Japan who could make a replacement. They are not encountered often. In many long years of collecting and handling swords, I do not think I have encountered more than 5. I can not tell you much about the blade from your pictures as the forging and temper are indistinct. The blade mounting appears to be early 19th century. The blade could be contemporary or an older piece remounted.

[PaulZero]

Finding a replacement device such as the one on your sword would be impossible. I am sure there is an artisan in Japan who could make a replacement. They are not encountered often. In many long years of collecting and handling swords, I do not think I have encountered more than 5. I can not tell you much about the blade from your pictures as the forging and temper are indistinct. The blade mounting appears to be early 19th century. The blade could be contemporary or an older piece remounted.

Well that's confused the issue a bit. Obviously removing the handle is a good way to go, but doing so would mean destroying a relatively rare clip? Can you confirm that despite its apparent rarity it is not of massive value or do you believe it's worth preserving?

Edit:

We've removed the clip. It turned out to be a standard copper rivet, looked fairly modern to me. The tang has some orange surface rust, though the tang itself is darkish. I'm currently at work with only a camera phone shot of it, however I'll get on the DSLR later...



(Oh great I view the photo on either my phone or Windows and it shows with the tang oriented the correct way, when I preview this post it's 90 degrees out, sorry about that)

[BOB COLEMAN]

Please shoot the tang vertical as I previously requested. Presently, everything is sideways. The top should be towards the cutting edge and the bottom the butt end. I think Guy can read this sideways . I am in a rush and will be gone all day so will reply this evening.

[PaulZero]

Please shoot the tang vertical as I previously requested. Presently, everything is sideways. The top should be towards the cutting edge and the bottom the butt end. I think Guy can read this sideways . I am in a rush and will be gone all day so will reply this evening.

Sorry I did say, I shot it correctly and it even showed correctly when viewed in Windows, however upon upload it was rotated incorrectly.

Anyway I'll be out of work in a few hours and I'll get a much better photo uploaded then.

[ghp95134]

備中国呰部住為家
Bitchū no Kuni Azae jū Tameie
Tame-ie, Residing in Azae, Bitchū.

Listed here (4th from the top). This signature was used from the 2nd ~ 5th generations Tameie.

Oh .... forged sometime in the 17th century.


Hopefully Bob can narrow down the list.

Cheers!
--Guy

[PaulZero]

備中国呰部住為家
Bitchū no Kuni Azae jū Tameie
Tame-ie, Residing in Azae, Bitchū.

Listed here (4th from the top). This signature was used from the 2nd ~ 5th generations Tameie.

Oh .... forged sometime in the 17th century.


Hopefully Bob can narrow down the list.

Cheers!
--Guy

Oh wow. That's much older than I thought it might be! I've just taken a better photo, hopefully a bit clearer.

[ghp95134]

Do NOT touch that rust until an expert tells you what to do.

(^__^)

I know you wouldn't .... but I just had to say it.



--Guy

[PaulZero]

Do NOT touch that rust until an expert tells you what to do.

(^__^)

I know you wouldn't .... but I just had to say it.



--Guy

Oh don't worry, I'm not going near it! So do the slightly more in focus kanji in the second photo support what you thought originally?