Swords
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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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*MINT FULL POLISH BLADE*Early WW2 C1940 Japanese Army Officer’s Shin Gunto Katana Gendaito Traditionally Hand Forged Sword Smith Signed By ‘MUSASHI KUNI AKI YUKI TSUKURU KORE’, Scabbard Cover/ Bag & Expert Assessment. Sn 23717 - 23717 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 98 shin gunto, army officers sword with a superbly made gendaito blade. Signed musashi (province) kuni (living in) aki yuki (art name) tsukuru kore (respectfully made). For such a well made sword could not find much on him in my books? Only got one line in Hanley's revised centinary edition pg no 3. Only 2 smiths using this name in wartime period. One Better known used standard kanji for his yuki, kurihara family both eight points, possible same man using different kanji for his name. Needs more Research? Practically mint polish. Kosherae standard gunto pattern With quality alloy, wood lined scabbard in olive green paint (g/con) with brown Patinated brass fittings, one ashi. Brass gunto pattern tsuba (handguard) In g/con, but gilt worn tsuba & seppa No. 70, fish skin intact with good rebound Brown military ito, some gilding left on kabuto gane (top mount) & sarute Knot loop. A good quality blade, a good addition to any collection. Made circa 1940”. In his notes Bill describes the cutting edge as just under 65 cm length and overall length as just under 86.5 cm. He also translates the blade signature and describes other blade characteristics and dimensions (illustrated). A good quality cloth bag / cover with draw string also accompany this sword. The price for this Gendaito sword, with near mint full polish blade with expert assessment includes UK delivery. Sn 23717 £2,200.00 |
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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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**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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