p3skyking- Some more swords?
Since we are talking about swords (we are still talking, right?) I thought I would show you two other swords I have and maybe you have some thoughts about them.
The longer one is 29" and two people who claim to know about such things told me it was likely shortened from a longer blade (maybe after being broken). This one has some fairly fancy fittings (again I apologize for not knowing the proper terminology) including a nice floral design on the cup that holds the handle behind the guard and the rising sun design on the piece at the back of the blade.
On the butt cap there is another flower design that I don't recognize. It was hard to photograph this. The menuke (that's the one word I know) are interesting. Each side is a pair of rats facing each other. They are mostly covered by the wrapping but I tried to show them, anyway.
The blade shows corrosion that sort of "flows" along the blade and someone thought it may have been caused by blood left uncleaned on the metal. Of course this may have been from some Marine chopping up a aside of beef back in camp after picking it up (did the short sword ever get carried by military personnel in WW II?).
The other sword is in much worse shape with damage to the blade such as nicks and crude attempts to sharpen or polish. It's 23" in length and seems very plain compared to the other one. The menuke is a tangle of flowers. I just realized that I didn't get any close-up shots of this one.
Any approximate dates or other info off the top of your head?
The longer one is 29" and two people who claim to know about such things told me it was likely shortened from a longer blade (maybe after being broken). This one has some fairly fancy fittings (again I apologize for not knowing the proper terminology) including a nice floral design on the cup that holds the handle behind the guard and the rising sun design on the piece at the back of the blade.
On the butt cap there is another flower design that I don't recognize. It was hard to photograph this. The menuke (that's the one word I know) are interesting. Each side is a pair of rats facing each other. They are mostly covered by the wrapping but I tried to show them, anyway.
The blade shows corrosion that sort of "flows" along the blade and someone thought it may have been caused by blood left uncleaned on the metal. Of course this may have been from some Marine chopping up a aside of beef back in camp after picking it up (did the short sword ever get carried by military personnel in WW II?).
The other sword is in much worse shape with damage to the blade such as nicks and crude attempts to sharpen or polish. It's 23" in length and seems very plain compared to the other one. The menuke is a tangle of flowers. I just realized that I didn't get any close-up shots of this one.
Any approximate dates or other info off the top of your head?
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I know someone who deals a bit in those things....they shure are expensive when they are real (compared to the $8 Bud-K type.)[:D] 0 -
Sax,
Damn I wish I could get my hands on the first wak!!! The blade collar is not like any I have ever seen. The wrap is first rate and the nodules of the same are very large, denoting an expensive mounting. You need to have an expert examine that one post haste.
Off hand, I would make it early Edo Period (about 250 years old).
Unable to give you any info on the other without photos. As to Jappers carrying short swords (waks) during WWII, not in uniform. After duty, senior officers would lounge in traditional garb and sometime carry their personal swords. The wak I have was captured by some islander and eventually found it's way to America via Hawaii.0 -
Another sword guy suggested maybe 17th century on that blade so I guess it's pretty old. I don't know anything about these things but it just feels like high quality when you hold it. Too bad the blade is damaged. Might be one of those swords that wealthy Japanese families like to buy back?
I paid $65 for it, BTW.0 -
the handguard looks like a handmade replacement. way too plain to match the rest of the craftsmanship, and could have been made out of a leaf spring. perhaps one broke, and the owner would rather have a matching pair so he made two and put them on.
the wrap is in great shape, but too good to match the rest of the beat-up blade and rusty handguard. I'd guess it's a recent rewrap, and looks like nylon cord to me.
it's unusual for the blade to have a fuller on it.
the pommel isn't covered with a metal peice, is it? looks like exposed wood. whatever kind of handle is under the wrap looks excellent though.
if you want to tell when, where and who it came from, take the wrap off, take the handle off, and look at the signature that's most likely present on the tang.
aside from historical/sentimental value, I'd say you got your 65 bucks worth. they'd be great for yard maintenance or live blade kata practice.0 -
quote:Originally posted by buschmaster
the handguard looks like a handmade replacement. way too plain to match the rest of the craftsmanship, and could have been made out of a leaf spring. perhaps one broke, and the owner would rather have a matching pair so he made two and put them on.
the wrap is in great shape, but too good to match the rest of the beat-up blade and rusty handguard. I'd guess it's a recent rewrap, and looks like nylon cord to me.
it's unusual for the blade to have a fuller on it.
the pommel isn't covered with a metal peice, is it? looks like exposed wood. whatever kind of handle is under the wrap looks excellent though.
if you want to tell when, where and who it came from, take the wrap off, take the handle off, and look at the signature that's most likely present on the tang.
aside from historical/sentimental value, I'd say you got your 65 bucks worth. they'd be great for yard maintenance or live blade kata practice.
If you will look at the endcap, the handguard does match, both being blackened iron. While most later blades did not have fullers, some
in fact did. If you have Sato's book, check them out. They are all early, very desireable blades, including the tanto's.
The wrap is silk and the quickest way to check is to burn a thread. a ball is plastic/nylon, silk will simply burn to ash and stink. Silk does not show it's age if unmolested.
If there is ANY manufacturing flaw in the blade, it will most likely NOT be signed. I'm sure Sax has had the handle off and if it was signed, he would have mentioned it. I would like to know how many holes are in the tang though. More than one would indicate a remounted blade of some age.0 -
When I get home I will dismount the handle ande look.
I don't think the blade was made with flaws, but was damaged through use or neglect.0 -
if it's not a rewrap, it would be worn like the rest of the blade is. usage requires hands on the handle.
I was assuming he didn't know enough to take the handle off and look. after all, he is curious about it but didn't do so or he would have said something.
since it has a fuller on it, that would indicate a later blade, probably rolled by a machine, eh? if so, with that nice of a handle, perhaps the sword was all beat up and got a replacement handguard, replacement handle, and rewrapped.
it's probably got some kind of markings on the tang, unless it's a real el-cheapo. which could explain the fuller. even if it is, old cheap stuff is still nicer than modern cheap stuff.0 -
interesting thread. 0 -
buschmaster- I've had the handle off but it's been a long time and I simply don't recall if there are any markings. I am thinking that there are not but I'll have to look.
As for the blade being in worse shape than the rest of the sword, it's not that the blade shows that much more use, but that something was left on it that corroded it. If it had merely been wiped clean after use it would look as good as the handle.0
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