Swords
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**QUALITY HORIMONO CARVED ANTIQUE 1865 DATED BLADE**WW2 Smith Signed Tang ‘Zu Shu Nao Tsugu Saku’ Japanese Army Officer’s Type 98 Gunto Sword, Rank Tassel, Scabbard Bag / Cover & Expert Assessment Sn 23716 - 23716 This superb sword has been assessed by a UK based Japanese sword expert Bill Tagg. His assessment accompanies this piece. His assessment states “A type 98 shin gunto, army officers sword with antique blade circa 1865-1868. This is signed on katana side ‘zu-shu nao tsugu saku’ studied under taikei naotane, lived in matsusaki on the izu peninsula. See markus sesko book on smiths p/no 283 for information. This teacher naotane was well known for horimono (carving). His here done by honjo yoshitani. In old faded polish showing a gunome midare, nioi edged hamon, bright but no grain visible. One small chip to edge otherwise v/g condition. Saya gunto pattern, in good but faded military brown paint, only couple of bits missing, nice patina on fittings. Habaki, copper with incised rain drops. Tsuba. Gunto pattern in cast brass. Some gilt left on body, rim lost its gilt but nicely patinated. No 22 as are its Seppa (washers) tsuka (hilt) gunto pattern, in good but used condition. Skin intact, but dirty. Complete binding (ito), has gilt menuki. Working locking catch (no 22) & saurute knot loop quality monkey hands. A desirable addition to any collection in v/good and un-messed with condition knot loop is high quality monkey hands complete with rank tassel in blue & brown for Lieutenant to Captains rank”. In his notes Bill describes the cutting edge as just under 68cms length and overall length as just under 88 cms. He also translates the blade signature and date and describes other blade characteristics and dimensions. The price for this impressive family blade taken to WW2 with expert assessment includes UK delivery. Sn 23716 £2,750.00 |
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19th Century Indochina / Burmese Dha (aka Dah) Sword With Siver Mounted Fish Skin Covered Hilt & Tropical Wood Scabbard. Sn 23763 - 23763 Dha (also spelled dah) is the Burmese word for "knife." The term dha is conventionally used refer to a wide variety of knives and swords used by many people across Indochina, especially present-day Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Yunnan, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Dha vary considerably according to locality but they share a few features that define them apart from other weapons and tools of the area. These features are a round cross-section grip, a long, gently curving blade (sometimes upward, other times downward in the direction of use) with a single edge, and no guard. This is an original Indochina / Burmese Dha sword and scabbard made sometime in the 19th century. The sword has a typical broad steel single edged blade which is curved and measures 23 ¼” length (31 ¼” overall). The blade is sharp and has just small areas of light staining. There are no maker or date marks on the blade. Both sides of the blade have attractive hand tooled blued and gilt etched foliate panels and the spine of the blade near to the hilt has tooled decoration. The typical handle is wood covered with thick fish skin in good order and has silver ferrule at the pommel and flared ribbed silver mount where the hilt meets the blade. The blade is secure in the handle. The scabbard consists of 2 sections of tropical wood bound together by wire bands. The price for this attractive Dha includes UK delivery. Sn 23763 £495.00 |
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**ANCIENT C1700 BLADE**WW2 Smith Signed Tang ‘So (Kyudai Den Judai Me) ‘2 Ways To Read) Minamoto Nobu Kuni Kyudai Me’ Japanese Army Officer’s Type 98 Gunto With Samurai Silver Family Mon Badge, Rank Tassel, Scabbard Bag / Cover & Expert Assessment. - 23715 This superb sword has been assessed by a UK based Japanese sword expert Bill Tagg. His assessment accompanies this piece. ‘A type 98 shin gunto (army) officers sword with antique signed blade ‘so (kyudai den judai me) ‘2 ways to read) minamoto nobu kuni kyudai me’ see markus sesko book page 303 he translates it to so judai me. This man is claiming to be 10th generation from shodai 1334 to 1388 originally translated to 9th generation by its previous owner?. 10th generation working circa 1688/1704. A good long lasting family of smiths needs to go to japan for papers to i.d. Which swordsmith made this? In original old polish, with some scratches and fading. He died in 1699 in morioka. Kosherae mounts, saya gunto metal (parade) in quality olive green paint, good but worn and chipped condition + some rust. Nice brown patination on metal mounts. Tsuba (handguard) in cast brass? No gilt left but nice brown patination no 35 with matching no seppa (washers). Habaki (blade collar) copper with real silver foil cover (good quality). Tsuka (hilt) all complete with working safety catch, knot loop (sarute) copper wire Gilt menuki & knot/tassel lt/captains rank blue and brown good ito binding And fish skin. Family badge silver mon katahami (oxalis) wild sorrel flower on kabuto gane (top hilt fitting). Used by familys matsubayashi, ogamachi and beze daimyo samurai suski. A fine quality collectors sword with antique signed blade circa 1700’. In his notes Bill describes the cutting edge as just under 63cms length and overall length as 78 cms. He also translates the blade signature and date and describes other blade characteristics and dimensions. The price for this impressive sword, by a best quality family of Smith’s an ancient Samurai blade taken to WW2 with expert assessment includes UK delivery. Sn 23715 £2,250.00 |
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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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