Swords
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WW2 NATIONAL TREASURE SMITH SIGNED & DATED*MINT FULL POLISH BLADE*SPECIAL ORDER*1940 Japanese Army Officer’s Type 98 Gunto Katana Gendaito Traditionally Hand Forged Sword By ‘NOSHU JU KANE NOBU’, Rank Tassel, Scabbard With Hanger Chain & Expert Assessment - 23714 This superb sword has been assessed by a UK based Japanese sword expert Bill Tagg. His assessment accompanies this piece. In exerpts from the assessment he states “A Type 98 shin gunto pattern army officers sword signed tachi side of nakago (tang) Noshu Ju Kane Nobu. A very skilled and important WW2 swordsmith (tosho). His real name was Niwa Shuji son of Niwa Kane Nobu. Born 1903 began his sword studies age 12. Was a rikugun jumei tosho probably in nagoya arsenal. Known to use Takano ha (hawks feather file marks) was granted the title of ‘an intangible cultural property of gifu prefecture’ in 1973. Rated in war period at 2 million yen in john sloughs book on swordsmiths see pg no 54. For genuine mei / shoshintei (copies of pages from Slough’s book referencing the Smith accompany the sword). In mint Japanese polish, a special order blade at 27¼” cutting edge. Scabbard gunto pattern, been top quality army green paint now rusty & missing paint with lots of war use. Tsuba quality cast brass lost its gilding and dirty stamped no 12. With several seppa and brass habaki collar. Tsuka (hilt) all complete with salute loop and Lt to Captains rank tassel + working locking catch binding intact but dirty with heavy use dirty fish skin couple missing pieces. A collectors sword by a well regarded 2nd war swordsmith who became even more famous in the 1970's. NB. Just below line, Kane Nobu did work in kokura arsenal, received a gold medal at new sword exhibition and technical award from the arsenal in 1943. Needs more research”. In his notes Bill describes the cutting edge as 69 cms length and overall length as 91 cms. He also translates the blade signature and date and describes other blade characteristics and dimensions, including Hawk’s feather file marks known to be used by the Smith and factory inspection marks on the spine of the tang (illustrated in image 2). A previous owners notes which also accompany the sword contains images of the tang markings and state “This is a traditionally forged handmade gendaito by Niwa Kane nobu who was born in 1903. Kane nobu was one of the best smiths in Seki and rated at 2 million yen. He was a swordsmith for over 60 years. In 1973 Kane nobu was officially designated an Important Intangible Cultural Property holder of Gifu Prefecture, recognizing him as a preserver of traditional Japanese sword forging and horimono engraving techniques. This designation placed him among a very small group of smiths whose craftsmanship was formally acknowledged as culturally significant. Excellent fresh polish with gunome midare hamon with much nie. Running itame hada. Gunto mount in good condition and has part of the original chain hanger left”. Bill comments on the notes “This Man Made High To Superior Grade Gendaito” and puts a ? after the notes mention of original hanger chain which is present on the scabbard. The price for this Gendaito sword, by a best quality famous Smith with expert assessment includes UK delivery. Sn 23714 £2,950.00 |
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**WW2 MARCH 1944 LUCKY DAY**Japanese Army Officer’s Type 98 Gunto Gendaito Traditionally Hand Forged Katana Sword With Smith Signed & Dated Tang ‘KANE NAGA’ Scabbard & Expert Assessment. Sn 23713 - 23713 This sword has been assessed by a UK based Japanese sword expert Bill Tagg. His assessment accompanies this piece. In exerpts from the assessment he states “A type 98 shingunto pattern army officers sword, with tachi mei signed by its maker kane Naga whose real name was amachi jin jiro born 1884 died 1958 worked as army smith. His Buddhist name was enkaku chikyo see markus sesko book for details pa/no 319. This is a gendaito (traditionally forged) using sand iron tama hagane and is very well made in vg/original polish, only some small wartime damage to edge & odd scratch, enjoy as it is or get it professionally polished. Saya (scabbard) metal parade some rust & missing paint, in reasonable used condition. Tsuba hand guard cast brass no gilt left has 4 unidentified makers marks/stamps. Tsuka (hilt) is complete with locking catch & saurute (knot loop). All its ito cotton binding & fish, but is dirty & has paint splatter. N.B. Small amount wood missing inside of bottom of wood liner. This blade is good quality and worth restoring”. In his notes Bill describes the cutting edge as just under 65cms length and overall length as 87.5 cms. He also translates the blade signature and date and describes other blade characteristics and dimensions. A previous owners notes which also accompany the sword contains images of the tang markings and state “Traditionally hand forged gendaito in high-quality gunto mounts. The blade has an excellent Bizen style choji hamon. A silver mon badge has been removed from the kabuto gane, presumably when the Japanese officer surrendered the sword. The smith Amachi Kanenaga worked in Seki during the war and died March 1958. Saya (scabbard) is inscribed "A Hynd" believed to be Scottish soldier Alexander Hynd who served in Burma at the battles of Kohima and Imphal, sword was found in a house clearance in the Lake district”. Bill comments on the notes “This paper came from previous owner/collector of sword I cannot see any name on saya ? The hole in bottom mount is for a missing screw”. The price for this excellent well marked Gendaito sword with expert assessment includes UK delivery. Sn 23713 £1,895.00 |
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Early WW2 C1939-1940 Japanese Officer's Type 98 Shin Gunto Seki Arsenal Katana Sword With Smith Signed Tang ‘SEKI JU KAWASAKI NAGA MITSU SAKU’ Scabbard With Leather Field Service Cover & Expert Assessment. Sn 22124 - 22124 An original early Ww2 Japanese Officer's Type 98 Sword with smith signed tang. The sword has been assessed by UK Japanese sword expert Bill Tagg. A copy of his hand written notes and illustrations accompany the sword. In extracts from his notes he states “A Type 98 shin gunto army officer’s sword with Honoki wood saya, leather covered for field service, in good used condition, one ashi suspension ring. Tsuba standard gunto pattern brass. With couple of seppa. Tsuka hilt with gunto brass fittings and copper menuki. Missing its sarute cord loop. Fish skin complete & bound in light brown Ito, clean condition. The blade is a reasonable quality Showa To None traditional made using scrap iron or bar stock, hand worked and oil quenched to produce a nioi crystal edged temper line hamon. Signed by its maker ‘SEKI (City) JU (Living In) KAWASAKI (Family Name) NAGA MITSU (Art Name) SAKU (Made This)’. Born in 1906 worked as a gunto army smith (see Fuller & Gregory books page No.61 List 293. And Markus Sesko book on Japanese sword smiths page 249 for this man. Blade is in original polish (bright) with scuff marks & scratches after 80 yrs of carry & use. A nice example of an Officer’s sword made circa 1938-39”. In his illustrations Bill translates the tang signature, identifies a partial seki arsenal mark. He measures the cutting edge as just under 65.5 cms, total length 856 cms and describes other blade and tang measurements & characteristics which can be seen in image 2. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 22124 £1,245.00 |
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**QUALITY**NAPOLEONIC PENINSULAR WARS ERA** British Georgian Reddell & Bate 1796 Pattern Infantry Officer’s Sword With Blued & Gilt Etched Warranted Blade & Scabbard. Sn 22658 22658 - 22658 This is an excellent quality original British 1796 Pattern Infantry Officer's sword (see page 160 of World Swords by Withers where an example with blued and gilt etched blade is illustrated. In his book withers states that most of these swords are found with missing quillons, & worn blades). Our example has the correct shell guard with foliate decoration, one shell correctly folds for scabbard carry. It has the correct knuckle bow and ornate urn shaped pommel. The wire bound grip is excellent and retains its original quillon finial. All wire is tight and intact. It has a 31” long fullered blade. The blued blade has foliate themed gilt panels on both sides including Grown GR (King George Rex), Heraldic Arms, martial banners, foliate panels ‘Warranted’ banner and maker or retailer banners ‘Reddell & Bate’. All of the etchings are crisp. Its original leather scabbard has brass mounts and 2 original hanging rings. The throat mount has a frog locket. All leather and stitching are intact with just light service wear. The price for this quality Napoleonic piece includes UK delivery. Sn 22658 £1,195.00 |
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ANCIENT C1650-1700’s BLADE**Japanese Hizento Style Forged Uchigatana Single Hand Sword Re-Mounted C1943-1944 For WW2 Service, Scabbard & Expert Assessment. Sn 23689 - 23689 This Uchigatana single hand Japanese sword with ancient blade has been examined by UK Japanese sword expert Bill Tagg and a copy of his assessment notes accompany the sword. In his notes he states “A single hand Japanese sword, an uchigatana, the antique unsigned blade has been shortened down by moving the machi (blade shoulders) down by approx 2 to 2½ inches. It is forged in the hizento style which was made famous by the Tada Yoshi extended family over eight or nine generations, copying earlier work by yamashiro swordsmiths from ancient times, having a hamon (temper line) of nioi crystals with nie deki edge in sugha (straight) pattern, practically straight sides not much fumbari and longer point based on nambokucho period fighting swords. In bright old polish, only one kizu (flaw) which is now under the habaki (cannot be seen) probably why, it was shortened. Has the size & look of late 17th century workmanship circa 1650-1700. For professional opinion & papers needs to go back to Japan. In original old lacquer saya with pocket for kogatana side knife (now missing) the whole thing covered in leather for war service in WW2. Good condition. Tsuba is gunto pattern heavy quality cast brass, with piercing through body, sign of quality, numbered 0813 in Japanese, most gilding faded. Tsuka has suffered heavy war time use, lost its same fish skin and ito binding has been retied (roughly) wood body was wrapped in silk cloth covering mekugi hole & peg, had to be strapped bare to check for signature & help with dating blade. Missing locking catch & stud, but original cord sarute knot loop for tassel going through kabuto gane (top fitting).Nice quality antique blade needs hilt restoring & wrapping properly”. In his illustrations Bill describes the cutting edge as just under 18 ¾”, total length 24 ½”. He also describes and illustrates other blade measurements and characteristics (illustrated in image 2). For information the Japanese army sent people around Japan 1943/44 period buying in wakizashi & katana blades old unsigned for 50 yen a piece in any condition, then refurbished in arsenals, turned into gunto mounts for military use. This is probably one of those. Bill had to take apart the field repaired damaged hilt, to check for signature & put back to same condition as before, as a result, to avoid damage we have not removed the hilt to take images of the blade tang. The price for this ancient piece includes UK delivery. Sn 23689 £895.00 |
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WW2 1943 Japanese Officer's Type 98 Shin Gunto Arsenal Katana Sword With Dated & Smith Signed Tang ‘Bishu (province) Ju (living in) Masa Hide (art name) Saku (made this)’, Scabbard & Expert Assessment. Sn 20902 - 20902 An original WW2 dated Japanese Officer's Sword with signed tang. The sword has been assessed by UK Japanese sword expert Bill Tagg. A copy of his hand written notes and illustrations accompany the sword. In extracts from his notes he states “A Type 98 shin gunto army officer’s sword dated 1943, with no arsenal stamps. Looks like an oil tempered showa to which has undergone the Yaki Ire process producing a nioi edge to hamon after heating and quenching in oil. Looks medium quality. It is signed by its maker ‘Bishu (province) Ju (living in) Masa Hide (art name) Saku (made this)’. There are 3 men working in the war time period 1939-45 using this name but none with Bishu place of residence. Needs more research to identify which man. Bright condition showing through surface scratches & staining. Needs a polish. Saya scabbard is expensive for its time, aluminium (light weight but reacts with paint finish & throws it off over time. Paint patchy in places). Tsuba gunto pattern with mosy of gilt gone marked with unknown inspector’s mark (illustrated in image 2). Tsuka good gunto pattern all complete with working safety catch & cord for sarute loop. Brown ito wrap dirty. Bronze finish still on metal fittings, some gilt left on menuki. Worthy of restoration and research. Nice example of its type”. In his illustrations Bill translates the tang signature and 1943 date. He describes the cutting edge as 64.5 cm and total length 86 cm. He also describes and illustrates other blade measurements and characteristics (illustrated in image 2). The price includes UK delivery. Sn 20902 £1,225.00 |
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WW2 1944 Dated Japanese Officer’s Arsenal Gunto Sword With Smith Signed Tang ‘KATSU NORI’, Scabbard With Leather Field Service Cover, Expert Assessment & Carry Bag / Cover. Sn 20891 - 20891 An original late WW2 Japanese officers sword. The sword has been assessed by UK Japanese sword expert Bill Tagg. A copy of his hand written notes and illustrations accompany the sword. In extracts from his notes he states “An arsenal blade (no stamps) Murato bar stock steel, oil tempered with an artificial temperline put on with polishing stones. Late war quality dated 1944 signed ‘Katsu or Kiyo or Tatsu Nori’ (Katsu Nori is the preferred reading). In bright condition. Only one man in my books using this name. An R.J.J (army approved smith) in Tottori. Family name Yoshida probably not him. He was a good smith. Couple of finger marks some scratches. Saya plain honoki wood (no paint) with a tidy leather cover. Tsuba gunto pattern, cast brass all its gilt. Late war quality mixed metal seppa washers. Tsuka hilt gunto pattern all complete brown ito bind and fish skin intact. Hilt mounts all their finish. No sarute loop. Menuki lost its gilt. A very tidy example of a late war arsenal officer’s Gunto”. In his illustrations of the tang and blade he describes the cutting edge of the blade length as 65 cm & full length as 85.5 cm. He also translates the tang date and smith signature and describes other blade characteristics and dimensions (illustrated in image 2). The sword is accompanied by a cloth carry bag cover. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 20891 £1,275.00 |
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**NAPOLEONIC WARS ERA**EARLY VARIANT**British 1796 Pattern Infantry Officers Sword With Warranted Gilt & Blued Etched Blade. Sn 19244 - 19244 An original early example of a British 1796 Pattern Infantry Officer's sword (see page 159 of World Swords by Withers). It has its regulation brass hilt with correct early variant rigid shell guard. Later variants of the 1796 Infantry sword had folding clamshells. It has the correct knuckle bow. urn shaped pommel and quillon finial which are often found to be missing from these swords. It has a wire bound grip, all very tight and undamaged. It has a 32 ½” long blade with fullers. The blade is etched on both sides. The etchings include ‘Crown GR’ (George Rex), martial arms, foliate devices and ‘Warranted’ banner. The blade has traces of original blueing & gilt and has just light staining consistent with age. As is common the sword is without scabbard. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 19244 £1,145.00 |
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1860-1864 Italian Model 1860 Heavy Cavalry Trooper’s Sword With Blade By ‘S&K’ (Schnitzler & Kirschbaum, Solingen, Germany) & Scabbard. Sn 23644 - 23644 An original Italian Model 1860 heavy cavalry troopers sword made circa 1860 -1864, with blade by German maker S&K (Schnitzler & Kirschbaum, Solingen, according to Bezdek's German Swords and Sword Makers, this firm was active between 1811 and 1864). Withers in his book World swords (page 121), states that German sword makers produced large quantities of swords for export to both European & American markets during the mid-19th century including both Union & Confederate forces during the American Civil War, many of these swords were not marked with German identification marks, signifying Germany’s reluctance to identify or align themselves with any particular combatant allowing them to sell to both warring Governments. Our example of the Model 1860 is in good condition. It has a 35” long, curved, fullered steel blade which has just light staining consistent with age & no damage. It measures 41 ½” overall length. One side of the ricasso is marked ‘S&K’ which is the manufacturer mark of Schnitzler & Kirschbaum. The reverse has a small inspection mark (all illustrated). It has the correct voided steel bowl guard which is slotted for cord and stepped pommel cap. Its grip is bound with leather rings (all present but loose in areas) & has some of its original wire binding. It is complete with its original steel scabbard which has its original hanging ring and long shoe. The scabbard has even patina & a some dents which can be seen in the images. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 23644 £375.00 |
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Victorian Era Native Indian Talwar (Aka Talwaar Or Tulwar) Fighting Sword / Sabre & Scabbard. Sn 23675 - 23675 The talwar (also spelled talwaar and tulwar, is a type of curved sword or sabre from the Indian subcontinent). Like many swords from around the world with an etymology derived from a term meaning simply 'sword', the talwar has in scholarship, and in museum and collector usage, acquired a more specific meaning. Unfortunately, South Asian swords, while showing a rich diversity of forms, suffer from relatively poor dating (so developmental history is obscure) and a lack of precise nomenclature and classification. The typical talwar is a type of sabre, characterised by a curved blade (without the radical curve of some Persian swords), possessing an all-metal hilt with integral quillons and a disc-shaped pommel (sometimes called the 'Indo-Muslim hilt' or 'standard Indian hilt'). The talwar was used by both Cavalry and Infantry. The grip of the talwar is cramped and the prominent disc of the pommel presses into the wrist if attempts are made to use it to cut like a conventional sabre. These features of the talwar hilt result in the hand having a very secure and rather inflexible hold on the weapon, enforcing the use of variations on the very effective "draw cut". When a blow was struck by a skilled warrior, limbs could be amputated and persons decapitated. The spike attached to the pommel could be used for striking the opponent in extreme close quarter circumstances when it was not always possible to use the blade (see pages 601 and 602 of A Glossary of Arms & Armor by Stone where similar Talwars are described and illustrated). Our example most likely made in the Victorian era has all of the correct Talwar characteristics such all metal construction, small grip, disc with point pommel, curved 29 ¼” long sabre blade with naïve tooled decoration (illustrated), knuckle guard and hilt langets. The Talwar measures 34 ½” overall length. The Talwar has even patina and the blade has just light staining consistent with age. There are no maker or date marks on the sword. The sword is accompanied by its period leather covered wood scabbard. The scabbard is missing its chape leaving the tip open. The leather has just light surface scuffs. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 23675 £245.00 |
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