Japanese Sword ID

apis mellifera · 04-04-2014, 09:58 PM

My father in law has this Japanese sword. He believes it is WWII vintage. Unfortunately someone polished some corrosion and value off. Any sword experts out there. He thinks it's a last ditch type sword. I've never seen one like it.

apis mellifera · 04-04-2014, 09:59 PM

Trying to add pictures with my phone.

apis mellifera · 04-04-2014, 10:02 PM

Last one.

apis mellifera · 04-04-2014, 10:07 PM

It is unmarked, by the way.

Edward Tinker · 04-04-2014, 11:01 PM

hard to say - if original then it could be one made in China during the latter part of WW2 or a local made in one of the islands.

There were also 'last ditch' ones made by GI's or locals for sale to GI's.

I have seen bayonets with wood scabbards.

DavidJayUden · 04-04-2014, 11:13 PM

You may wish to try a google search, images, for "Japanese sai sword wooden handle scabbard" or something like that. The blade resembles a later NCO sword but this is all way over my pay grade.
Interesting, though...
dju

apis mellifera · 04-05-2014, 09:15 PM

I was mistaken. It is not engraved but it is marked.

DavidJayUden · 04-05-2014, 10:57 PM

Is that a "damascus" blade?
dju

apis mellifera · 04-06-2014, 09:48 AM

No, at least not in the way I understand Damascus to appear.

MikeP · 04-07-2014, 01:51 AM

There is a good Japanese group at Gunboards Forums.
They could tell you more than you ever want to know about this.

ithacaartist · 04-07-2014, 10:04 AM

Not strictly in my realm, but interesting, nonetheless. The perception that the blade is Damascus is likely pareidolic--the grinding/sanding of the surface, combined with the manner in which the corrosion established itself, might only be making it look Damascus at a glance. Need sharper/ higher res. pics!

Please post a link to a thread on another forum, so we may follow along.

04-04-2014, 11:01 PM	#5
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,974 Thanks: 2,072 Thanked 4,608 Times in 2,123 Posts	hard to say - if original then it could be one made in China during the latter part of WW2 or a local made in one of the islands. There were also 'last ditch' ones made by GI's or locals for sale to GI's. I have seen bayonets with wood scabbards. __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

04-07-2014, 10:04 AM	#11
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,401 Thanks: 7,558 Thanked 2,643 Times in 1,393 Posts	Not strictly in my realm, but interesting, nonetheless. The perception that the blade is Damascus is likely pareidolic--the grinding/sanding of the surface, combined with the manner in which the corrosion established itself, might only be making it look Damascus at a glance. Need sharper/ higher res. pics! Please post a link to a thread on another forum, so we may follow along. __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

04-04-2014, 10:07 PM	#4
apis mellifera User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: WV Posts: 149 Thanks: 3 Thanked 24 Times in 8 Posts	It is unmarked, by the way.

04-04-2014, 11:13 PM	#6
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	You may wish to try a google search, images, for "Japanese sai sword wooden handle scabbard" or something like that. The blade resembles a later NCO sword but this is all way over my pay grade. Interesting, though... dju

04-05-2014, 10:57 PM	#8
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Is that a "damascus" blade? dju

04-06-2014, 09:48 AM	#9
apis mellifera User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: WV Posts: 149 Thanks: 3 Thanked 24 Times in 8 Posts	No, at least not in the way I understand Damascus to appear.

04-07-2014, 01:51 AM	#10
MikeP User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ILL Posts: 686 Thanks: 36 Thanked 452 Times in 198 Posts	There is a good Japanese group at Gunboards Forums. They could tell you more than you ever want to know about this.