Swords
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*RARE*NAMED & ATTRIBUTED WW2 CAPT WATKIN ROYAL DECCAN HORSE KIA 1945 FAMILY REMEMBERANCE SWORD WITH SILVER PRESENTATION PLATE *WW2 Japanese Officer's Type 98 Shin Gunto Sword With Smith Signed Tang ‘Kane Tushi Kori Wo Saku’ Scabbard & Expert Assessment. - 23803:9 A rare original WW2 Japanese Officer's Type 98 Sword with smith signed tang & poignant silver family presentation remembrance plate. The sword has been assessed by UK Japanese sword expert Bill Tagg. A copy of his hand written notes and illustrations accompany the sword. The notes state “a type 98 shin gunto officers sword with leather field service cover over wood scabbard / saya with slip on hanging ring (ashi) in reasonable condition, missing its fastening studs at mouth of saya *a rare presentation sword* with slip on silver sleeve stitching around the leather cover, stating ‘presented to major general sir fredrick g. Watkin c.b., d.s.o., m.c. Colonel of the royal deccan horse by the officers of his regiment in honour of captain f.c.n.g. Watkin killed in action meiktila burma 14 march 1945 a sad reminder of the cost in lives of war’. The blade of this sword is a standard medium quality showa-to oil quenched sword, from an arsenal with brass hand guard (tsuba) no gilt left, metal & leather seppa. Tsuka has gunto mounts, two cherry blossom menuki, not fitted with a safety catch, had leather retaining strap (missing), also missing knot & loop (sarute). One, in the field repair to binding to stop unravelling. A well carried sword. An interesting relic of war with poignant silver remembrance plaque of a life lost”. In his illustrations Bill translates the tang signature. He measures the cutting edge as 63 cm, total length 86 cm and describes other blade and tang measurements & characteristics which can be seen in the images. The price for this rare remembrance sword worthy of further research includes UK delivery. Sn 23803:9 £2,200.00 |
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*ANCIENT 1668 DATED & SUPREME MASTER SMITH SIGNED BLADE* Japanese WW2 Wakizashi Short Sword By ‘Naga Sone Okisato Nyudo Ko-Tetsu’ With Edo Period Iron Tsuba, Original Hand Written WW2 Gurkha 1945 Presentation Information Scabbard & Expert Assessment. Sn - 23803:8 This Wakizashi with ancient blade has been examined by UK Japanese sword expert Bill Tagg and a copy of his assessment notes accompany the sword. In extracts of his notes he states ‘Antique blade, wakizashi sword carried in the second world war. Blade looks shinto period dark black rust on nakago & mounted at least twice. File marks nearly eroded away. The signature is a very famous, highly rated smith: Naga Sone Okisato Nyudo Ko-Tetsu, a priest to be! Dated May 1668. Blade bright but not in polish. Scratched and faded hamon. Also has some faults (kizu) and blister. References: markus sesko book on swordsmiths pages 393/394/395/396. Lots of information. Rated as saijo saku (supreme made), master. Hawley's list of swordsmiths, page 251. Rated at 200 points (average points 138). Nihon to koza, afu watson translation. Pages 72, 74, 76 and 183/184/185 for genuine tang rubbings (oshigata). See shinto benji book for more oshigata. This needs signature authenticating in Japan! Koshirae: saya - wood covered with black leather, field service use, good condition. Tsuba - round black iron, depicts a man by a river in rain with a large rain hat. Nice edo period patina. Tsuka is gunto pattern with dirty ito binding complete and intact. Iron plain kashira with quality Fuchi of cloud dragon, signed mune not translated. Needs further research. Has plain brown officer's tassel used by admin personnel and navy 1944 period swords. Original label with history and provenance. ‘from wing commander r.a. Woodley, 1982 killigrew street falmouth. Presented to woodley by Lt. Col. NFB Shaw d.s.o., 3rd batt gurkha rifles, raf avadi, south india, 1945. Near habrasi (chennai). On other side blade 57cm signed Kotetsu signed fuchi original knot’. In his illustrations of the blade he describes the cutting edge of blade as just under 57cm. Total length just under 72cms. He also translates the tang signature and date, describes other blade characteristics and dimensions which can be seen in the images and states the original label needs further research to verify the history of this interesting sword. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 23803:8 £1,450.00 |
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*VERY RARE*ANCIENT 17thC FAMILY BLADE*BULLET DAMAGED*OKINAWA BATTLEFIELD RECOVERED*WW2 Japanese KIA Officer’s Sword Smith Signed ‘IKEDA KISHINMARU KUNI SHIGE’ Officer’s Rank Tassel, Hanger & Battle Damaged Scabbard With Archive Label & Expert Assessment. - 23803:7 *VERY RARE*ANCIENT 17th CENTURY FAMILY BLADE*BULLET DAMAGED*OKINAWA BATTLEFIELD RECOVERED*WW2 Japanese KIA Officer’s Katana Sword Smith Signed ‘IKEDA KISHINMARU KUNI SHIGE’ Officer’s Rank Tassel, Hanger & Battle Damaged Scabbard With Historical Archive Label & UK Expert Assessment. Sn 23803:7 The Battle of Okinawa (codenamed Operation Iceberg) was the last major battle of World War II, fought from April 1 to June 22, 1945. The extreme high cost of lives on both sides and fierce resistance at Okinawa heavily influenced President Harry S. Truman's decision to use atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki later that summer. This is an original WW2 Japanese NCO's Katana and scabbard with Combat damage recovered from the Okinawa battle theatre and retain the ‘C9’ archive tags / labels. The sword & scabbard have battle damage which consists of 2 bullet strikes piercing the scabbard. The bullets passed through the scabbard one striking the spine of the blade the other clipping the cutting edge. The blade strikes match the holes in the scabbard indicating that the Japanese Officer was hit by gun fire during battle while carrying the sword sheathed. The sword has been assessed by UK Japanese sword expert Bill Tagg, his notes accompany the sword and state “a small katana from the 17th century very rare example of a battle damaged sword in original as found condition not altered. Has last owner's label with info' and opinion from the to-ken society news letter no 179, dated sept/1998 published by clive sinclair chairman of the to-ken society at that time purportably from japanese officer shot dead on okinawa by a British Soldier? Needs more research. Badly rusted tang (nakago) bears what is just about visible the makers signature of ikeda kishinharu kuni shige in tenna period circa 1681 settu osaka province rated chujo saku above average & maker of sharp swords see to-ken journal no 179 sept/1998 see markus sesko book page 462 see hawley's revised, page 294, kun 1135 though in poor condition this is a desirable collectors item for the man who likes genuine examples of a battle field pickup. Damaged leather covered saya very rusty iron tsuba signed nobu ie edo period (to faint to photograph). Tsuka very dirty with abuse & war use has saurute loop with Lt/to captains rank tassel finished off with scarce sword suspension strap. In 50 years i have only seen half a dozen blades with bullet strikes right through them”. In his illustrations of the blade bill describes the cutting edge as 61 cm and overall length 76mm. Identifies 2 bullet strikes (which match scabbard damage holes indicating the Officer was KIA while sword sheathed). He also translates the tang smith signature and describes other blade dimensions and characteristics”. The previous owner’ historical archive label and collection ‘C9’ labels and disc also accompany the sword. The hand written archive label reads “C9 Smith: Ikeda Kishinmaru Kunishige, personal name Chobei - a pupil of Kawachi no Kami Kunisuke in Osaka, before moving to Ikeda Period: Tenna (1681) Settsu (Osaka) province, one of a group of smiths originating in Mizuta, Bitchu province, tracing their origin back to Aoe school. Chujosaku (average +), wazamono (sharp). Said to have been taken from a Japanese Officer shot dead on Okinawa – apparently by a British soldier. Published Clive Sinclair, "Modern kiri-komi?", Token Programme 179 (Sept. 1998), pp. 26-28 Nobuie tsuba (signed)”. The price for this very rare piece of Okinawa history, a family blade taken to war includes UK delivery. Sn 23803:7 £2,450.00 |
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**ANCIENT 1467–1568 RARE SHAPE OSARAKU ZUKURI BLADE IN SUPERB MINT FULL POLISH**Japanese WW2 Pilots’s Tanto Dagger Blade Smith Signed ‘SHIMADA SUKE MUNE’, Shira Saya Resting Mounts Special Order Gunto Mounts With Wood Blade Scabbard & Expert Assessment. - 23803:6 This is a superb ancient Japanese tanto blade with resting mounts and special order gunto mounts which has been assessed by UK Japanese sword expert Bill Tagg. His hand written assessment notes accompany this tanto. The assessment states “A Japanese tanto (dagger) with rare blade shape osoraku zukuri originally made by shimada suke mune for a famous general katagiri katsumoto in the sengoku period 1467–1568. The point is longer than the body of the blade. Suke mune carved the kanji for osoraku on his blade means perhaps! In mint polish mounted in shira saya it is inscribed with a famous smith's name oku yamato kami taira masa moto hira 2 generations: shiodai 1789–1801 grandson 1854–1860 see markus sesko book on swordsmiths p/nos 191–192 see hawley's illustrated revised edition p/no 441 rated 70 points shodai see afu watson translation of nihon tokoza for info & oshigata of this man 0S/ 68- 70-81-129-196-393-94-95 450-452 a superb craftsman and highly rated needs to go to Japan for verification of signature & papers this sword was carried in WW2. A koshirae special order set. A scaled down (miniature?) set of mounts for a type 98 shin gunto (new army) pattern sword made to special order in either arsenal or sword factory. The blade for these mounts is an Antique made with a spectacular & rare shape in mint condition (now housed) in a honoki wood shira saya for safe keeping, and mounted in Japan. The mounts are held together with honoki wood blade scabbard is steel painted black (possible restored) with brass special gunto style fittings & one slide on ashi with steel hanging ring. Tsuba gunto pattern pierced through the body with four showa blossom flowers lots of original gilt remaining complete with all its seppa (washers). Tsuka complete with all its ray skin wrap and its Ito brown binding (bit of dirt from carrying) has working locking catch and menuki of cherry blossom flowers, only missing a sarute (knot loop) to complete it. Because of its small size, possibly made for a pilot to carry?. The whole set is a spectacular display item for the collector of rare second war Japanese swords”. In his illustration of the blade he adds “cutting edge is just over 30 cm. Total length just 44 cm’. He translates the tang signatures and dates and sdescribes other blade characteristics & images. The price for this ancient blade with original UK expert opinion includes UK delivery. Sn 23803:6 (tanto box armoury) £3,450.00 |
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Victorian, British Pattern 1827 Volunteer Rifle Brigade Officer's Presentation Sword Etched 'Presented To Major John Selby On Promotion By Members of C Company, First Surrey Rifles, March 1899' By Robert Mole & Sons, Birmingham & Scabbard. Sn 23792 - 23792 The Volunteer movement had its origins in the eighteenth century. Service in the Militia was compulsory at that time for those selected by ballot and who were not wealthy enough to hire a substitute. But specific threats, such as Jacobite risings or the threat of French invasion, induced men to volunteer for home defence. A series of Militia Acts, notably in 1761, 1768 and 1802, had the effect of transforming the Militia from a home defence force into a reserve for the Regular Army, and its former function was increasingly filled by the Volunteers. During the Napoleonic Wars 1793-1815, the risk of invasion by Revolutionary France persuaded the government to authorise the formation of volunteer units that would be subject to military discipline and eligible for pay when called out. Numerous Volunteer units were formed around the country. British Volunteer strength peaked in 1803 at a remarkable total of some 440,000, but with the defeat of Napoleon they were all disbanded. In 1859 after another threat of Invasion Volunteer rifle units throughout Britain were reinstated. The 1st Surrey Rifles was a volunteer unit of the British Army active from June 14, 1859, until 1993. Elements of the Surrey Rifles saw action on the Western Front in WW1. In WW2 the Surrey rifles became the 35th (First Surrey Rifles) Searchlight Regiment and were deployed during the London Blitz. The 1827 pattern sword is defined by gothic bar guard hilt coupled with the usual Royal Cypher with strung bugle cartouche badge of the Rifle Brigade (see page 174 of World Swords by Withers). This is an original 1827 Pattern Surrey Rifles Officer’s Presentation Sword. The sword has a clean 32 ½” blade (38 ½” overall) with fullers and original leather hilt washer. The blade has etched & blued foliate panels together with 'Presented to Major John Selby on Promotion by Members of C Company, First Surrey Rifles, March 1899', the opposite side etched with Queen’s Crown VR cypher and regimental badge of 1st Surrey Rifles & the slung bugle of the Rifle Brigade. The blade also has ordnance proof star and roundel & is signed by the maker Robert Mole & Sons, Birmingham. The spine of the blade is numbered ‘M341’. It has the correct steel gothic bar knuckle guard with the Rifle Brigade 'Queen’s Crown with slung bugle' badge and curved stepped pommel. The fish skin covering on the grip is very good, the grip’s copper wire binding is all present and tight. It is complete with its steel scabbard with 2 hanging rings and shoe. The scabbard has just a few small light dents consistent with service carry. The price for this sword worthy of further research regarding the named Officer includes UK delivery. Sn 23792 £695.00 |
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**CUSTOM FIELD GRADE SAMURAI FAMILY**WW2 Era Japanese Cavalry Officer’s Type 19 Sword With 3 Feet 1 ½ Inches Extra Long Blade & Kyu Gunto (Naval Form) Guard With Silver Mon Family Badge Officer’s Cord & Portepee & Scabbard. Sn 23803:5 - 23803:5 This is a custom made WW2 Era Japanese Cavalry Officer’s Type 19 Sword With Extra 3 Feet 1 ½ Inches Long Blade & Kyu Gunto (Naval Form) Pierced Guard With Officer’s Cord & Portepee & Scabbard. A Custom made field grade Type 19 Cavalry sword with Kyu Gunto guard is illustrated on page 110 of Dawson’s book ‘Swords Of Imperial Japan 1868-1945’. The length of the this sword 43” overall indicates it would have been saddle mounted or slung on the back of the Cavalry Officer as some Tachi long swords were carried by Samurai Warriors. The spine of the hilt has a Silver Mon Samurai Family Badge. There is an indistinct mark on one side of the blade near to the hilt possibly a crest of some form? (illustrated in image 2). (NB For info all fittings on this sword are very tight, to avoid risk of damage we have not attempted to dismantle the sword to take images of the tang). The sword comes with its original steel scabbard with single hanging ring & shoe. The price for this sword, worthy of further research regarding the Sanurai family mon badge includes UK delivery. Sn 23803:5 £1,450.00 |
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**SHOT DOWN IN A HAIL OF BULLETS**OKINAWA BATTLEFIELD RECOVERED**WW2 Japanese NCO's Type 95 Katana With ‘The Lijima Swords Factory’ & Kokura Arsenal Marks & Scabbard. Sn 23803:4 - 23803:4 The Battle of Okinawa (codenamed Operation Iceberg) was the last major battle of World War II, fought from April 1 to June 22, 1945. The extreme high cost of lives on both sides and fierce resistance at Okinawa heavily influenced President Harry S. Truman's decision to use atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki later that summer. This is an original WW2 Japanese NCO's Katana and scabbard with Combat damage recovered by a Japanese Military Archaeologist from the Okinawa battle theatre and retain the archaeologist’s ‘C2’ archive tags / labels. The sword & scabbard have battle damage which consists of a series of bullet holes piercing and denting the scabbard. The bullets passed through the scabbard in areas striking the blade clipping the cutting edge. The blade strikes match the holes in the scabbard indicating that the Japanese NCO was strafed by machine gun fire during battle while carrying the sword sheathed. It is unlikely that the NCO survived the attack. The sword has the typical aluminium cast handle with lanyard ring and fully functioning scabbard retaining clip. The hilt retains some of its original brown paint. Its early, fullered, 27 ½” blade is stamped on one side '11183' and with inspection mark (later examples were stamped on the spine). The hilt is stamped with Lijima Swords Factory roundel with crossed swords mark and inspection mark together with Kokura arsenal mark (see pages 185 & 186 of Swords Of Imperial Japan by Dawson). The hilt's locking catch works as it should. The sword’s scabbard has its original single hanging ring. The scabbard retains most of its original brown paint finish. The throat of the scabbard is stamped with matching number. The price for this unique piece includes UK delivery. Sn 23803:4 £2,200.00 |
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Japanese Edo Period 1600-1800 Wakizashi Short Sword With Ko-Gatana Side Knife, Scabbard & UK Expert Assessment. Sn 23760 - 23760 This Wakizashi has been examined by UK Japanese sword expert Bill Tagg and a copy of his assessment notes accompany the sword. In extracts of his notes he states “An edo period 1600 to 1800 wakizashi with unsigned blade in bright condition no rust. Possibly seki mino workmanship with a long folding flaw (kizu) on one side. Kosherae (mounts) in black lacquer saya, using honoki wood. In good condition but missing small piece of black horn (buffalo) fits in bottom of side knife pocket; kodjuka hilt in shakudo with sea dragon. Tsuba hand guard dates to late edo to mid 19th century, a tsukashi (pierced) showing geometric shapes, with rounded circular rim, nice black patina some light old rust, been mounted on different blades over the years (based on early owari school work). Tsuka (hilt) complete (but dirty) binding and fish skin, mismatched fuchi / kashira with soft metal menuki leaves & flowers”. In his illustrations of the blade he describes the cutting edge of blade as 45 cm. Total length 58 cm. He also describes other blade characteristics and dimensions which can be seen in the images. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 23760 £675.00 |
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**RARE**SURRENDERED SINGAPORE**WW2 Japanese Officer’s Shin Gunto Sword Smith Signed ‘KOJIMA YOSHI MICHI’ With WD Retention Certificate To British RAF FL/ LT Hindell Photos of Japanese Officers Surrendering & 1945 Mess Menu & Expert Assessment. Sn 23783:1 - 23783:1 This sword has been assessed by a UK based Japanese sword expert Bill Tagg. His assessment accompanies this piece. In exerts from the assessment he states “A Shin Gunto Army Officer’s sword. This is a good quality showato blade which is signed by its maker, ‘KOJIMA YOSHI MICHI’ not a gendaito traditionally made sword, made using one of the other methods in use at this time. Possibly han tanren abura yaki ire to (partly forged oil hardened blade) undergone the yaki ire process which produces a nioi edged hamon or temper line. Smith's real name kojima yuki Yoshi. Not much info on this man see markus sesko book on smiths p/no 378 for info. In original old polish, some finger marks & scratches. Leather covered wood saya in good used condition. Tsuba cast brass, gunto pattern with brass habaki. Tsuka, good condition all binding & skin intact + iron knot loop + Lt to Capt rank blue brown tassel. Plus scarce army souvenir retention certificate, giving Flight Lieutenant Hindell (service number on cert 51095) permission to keep this Japanese sword signed by co/officer RAF station in Seletar (Singapore, in use 1928 to 1971). Plus has couple of small black & white photos of Japanese officers surrendering in Singapore 1945/1946 period. Hard to find swords from veterans families with original documents 80 yrs after end of war”. In his illustrations he describes the cutting edge length as 62.2 cm and the overall length as 86 cm. He also translates the Smith signature & describes other blade characteristics and measurements which can be read in the images. Also accompanying the sword are the original surrender retention certificate the photographs of Japanese Officers surrendering and Xmas 1945 Officer’s Mess RAF Seletar menu which was also found with this sword. The price for this rare piece with expert assessment worthy of further research regarding Fl LT Hindell’s war service includes UK delivery. Sn 23783:1 £1,895.00 |
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*MINT ANCIENT 1684-1688 SAMURAI SHINTO BLADE*Japanese Type 19 Kyu Gunto Army Company Grade Hand Forged Sword Smith Signed ‘ANNONJI MASA YUKI KORE OTSU KURU’, With Scarce Rank Tassel Scabbard Cover/ Bag & Expert Assessment. Sn 23718 - 23718 This superb sword has been assessed by a UK based Japanese sword expert Bill Tagg. His assessment accompanies this piece. The assessment states “A type 19 army company grade kyu gunto with antique samurai katana blade plus scarce company grade tassel, early example from circa 1886 with removeable bottom ashi (hanging ring) all mounts & fittings in near mint condition. The shinto period blade is signed annonji masa yuki kore otsu kuru on katana side, the other side signed oranda-tetsu o motte tsukuru (made using dutch steel) the swordsmith masa yuki is noted working jokyo period 1684/1688 lived in soma nakamura and is known for using nanban tetsu (foreign steel) and forging in suguha inko-nie deki with small ko-itame grain. See markus sesko book on smiths page 96 for info on this man see hawleys revised list of smiths page 375, using other titles and is rated at 15 points (above average) MA.S. 1475. This is a practically mint blade forged in yamato den style and would grace any collection, a collectors item”. In his notes Bill describes the cutting edge as 66 cm length and overall length as 85 cm. He also translates the blade signatures and describes other blade characteristics and dimensions (illustrated). A good quality cloth bag / cover with draw string also accompany the sword. (NB For info all fittings on this sword are very tight, to avoid risk of damage we have not attempted to dismantle the sword to take images of the tang). The price for this sword, with practically mint blade with expert assessment includes UK delivery. Sn 23718 £2,950.00 |
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