Swords
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WW2 Japanese Army Gunzoku (Military Civilian Employee) Officer’s Gendaito Hand Forged Katana Long Sword Smith Signed Tang ‘Kane Tsune’ Scabbard With Campaign Leather Cover & Expert Assessment. ED 2414 - ED 2414 An original late WW2 Japanese Officer's Sword and Scabbard. 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 “Civilian sword for military use by Gunzoku (civilians employed by the army). They wore uniform and were entitled to carry swords. 65cm Gendaito hand forged blade (says forged in Mei in inscription). Signed by its maker ‘Kane Tsune’, born in 1910 real name Nishimura Kazufumi. He worked as a gunto smith in Giffu. This is the only mention I can find of him cannot find any other Oshigata of him. The blade is in good old polish with only one chip in edge. A very unusual hamon which does not conform to standard types. Appears a bit wild and uncontrolled in places. Hada is also a bit wild with large patches of vivid O Itame. It does not appear to have had yakote line in point. Possible war time polish. Saya is wood withthin layer of lacquer covered in campaign leather cover worn in places. Tsuba soft metal showa period made . Lost its original seppa, leather put in place. Tsuka hilt very good quality han dachi mounts looks Meiji & good menuki. Very dirty brown binding intact. Missing a sarute loop for rank tassel. An interesting example of a civilian sword carried to war (see Markus Sesko books on Japanese Smiths page 294 re smith. Only man using these kanji in Showa period (war time) born 1910 worked as a gunto smith)”. In his illustrations Bill translates the signature on the tang. He describes the tang end as Kuri Jiri (rounded) cutting edge 65cms total length 85cms. He describes the hamon as based on suguha medium Nioi crystals of Martensite, grain mixed masame goes into O (large) Itame in patches. He also identifies paint Arsenal assembly marks on the tang and other blade characteristics that can be seen in the images. The price includes UK delivery. ED 2414 £1,445.00 |
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Early WW2 Japanese Army Officer’s Type 98 Shin Gunto Sword With Patial Smith Signature ‘HIZEN KUNI’ (Possible Gendaito) , Scabbard & Expert Assessment. Sn 19377:4 - 19377:4 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 Type 98 Shin Gunto with possible Gendaito blade. Partial Mei 2nd part rusted away due to jungle campaign ? Tsuka Hilt shows heavy use, water damage rotted most of fish skin under binding, which is intact but very dirty. Still got sarute loop and menuki. With a bit of detective work I have come up with 2 possible men who both started their Mei with the address HIZEN KUNI. This is a very uncommon prefix to a showa period name. John Slough has 2 men listed (Takaguchi family name) Masatsugu a RJT Swordsmith Star Stamp * made medium to high grade blades page 106-107 good comparison or Kino Shita (family name) Yosh Tada. He was also a RJT smith Rikugun Jumei Tosho army approved rated Medium to high grade swords. Very good match both men same Kanji style same horizontal kiri file marks & tang shape. Heavily buffed by previous owner needs professional polish to restore blade. The steel saya scabbard has also been heavily water damaged. It has been covered with a quality leather foul weather cover in 3 pieces fitted around carring ring and ashi mounts, professionally done by a qualified saddler ? attractive looking job. This could be restored polished to bring out beauty of blade. The 2 possible smiths are my conjecture. Made C1940”. In illustrations of the blade which are included in the assessment he translates the tang markings. He states overall length 33”. Cutting edge 24 ½”. He describes Hamon as’ Ko (small) Suguha with irregularities difficult to see’. He observes Yakote line buffed away. Tang end as Nakago Jiri shape (rounded). The price for this sword with expert assessment includes UK delivery. Sn 19377:4 £1,245.00 |
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**ATTRIBUTED TO WW1 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL (DSM) GALLIPOLI RECIPIENT**British Royal Navy Officer’s 1827 Pattern George VI Presentation Sword With Etched Blade By Gieves, Inscribed ‘PRESENTED BY MARTINS BANK LTD TO GUNNER W.G. MANTELL DSM RN 30.9.41’ - 23388 William George Mantell was a member of the Royal Navy (RN) who served during both World War I and World War II. He was awarded the prestigious Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) in August 1917 for his service during the Great War. Mantell served as a rating and was wounded in action during the Dardanelles Campaign (Gallipoli) in 1915. His "conspicuous gallantry" during the war led to him being awarded the Distinguished Service Medal in 1917. He was later recorded as a Chief Petty Officer & served as a Gunner during World War II. He was later employed by Martin’s Bank as head messenger (more service information / antecedents on this man is available online at the Imperial War Museum archives and a portrait photograph of Mr Mantell is reproduced in image 1). This is an excellent British RN sword to Mr Mantell DSM presented to him by Martin’s bank Ltd in 1941. The Naval Officer’s sword has 80.5cm long fullered blade both sides with foliate etched & Blued panels and Kings crown Cyphers (one side ‘GRVI’ (King George 6th Rex). One side of the ricasso has maker’s / retailer’s name ‘Gieves Ltd’ the reverse has ordnance star and inlaid proof roundel. One side of the blade has presentation inscription ‘PRESENTED BY MARTINS BANK LTD TO GUNNER W.G. MANTELL DSM RN 30.9.41’. It has an attractive Lion’s head pommel and the knuckle guard features King’s crown and RN motif. The sword’s fish skin grip with wire binding is undamaged. One side of the guard has a folding langet which locks securely to a pin on the throat of the scabbard and holds it securely in place. The hilt is fitted with original bullion cord & bullion portepee. The leather scabbard with brass fittings is in excellent condition. The price for this excellent RN sword presented to a DSM recipient includes UK delivery. Sn 23388 £795.00 |
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Victorian Era Japanese Tourist Export Tanto Dagger With Ornately Hand Carved Ox Bone Handle & Scabbard. Sn 23362 - 23362 This is an excellent original late 19th Century Japanese Tanto With Beautiful Carved Ox Bone Handle & Scabbard no doubt a Tourist export piece. The Tanto has a sharp 5 ½” single edged blade and measures 8 ¾” overall length (9 ¾” in its scabbard). The blade has no damage and just areas of staining consistent with age. Its handle and scabbard made of the bone from the shin of an Ox are ornately hand carved with attractive imagery of Japanese Noblemen & Monk characters dressed in traditional Japanese Costume. The bone has even aged patina. The scabbard has a holed bone peg for hanging cord. The price for this hand crafted Japanese piece includes UK delivery. Sn 23362 (in tanto box floor armoury) £165.00 |
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WW2 Japanese Officer's Type 98 Shin Gunto Katana Sword With Gendaito Hand Forged Blade Smith Signed Tang ‘ISHIDO TERU HIDE SAKU’, Scabbard & Expert Assessment. ED 3016 - ED 3016 An original WW2 Japanese Officer's Type 98 Sword with smith signed tang and scabbard. 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 army shin gunto officer’s sword, blade signed ‘ISHIDO TERU HIDE SAKU’. There were 3 men using this art name (go) all made gendaito hand forged traditional blades. 2 were brothers from Saitama prefecture North of Tokyo. This man claimed descent from Musashi Daijo Kore Kazu, made many swords for high ranking officers. Listed as having an exclusive seat in 1943 Smiths ranking by Nihon Token Tanren Jo & Ni Hon Token Shin Bun Shi. A blade by him recently got hozen papers by NBTHK. A true Gendaito., see notes by Chris Bowen & AOI Arts for info, also Markus Sesko books pages 196-197, John Slough page 171 and Fuller & Gregory list No. 193 / 291. Needs a polish to bring out forging details. Saya gunto parade steel, brown pait lots of knocks and marks with use. No gilt left on mounts. Tsuba die stamped brass gunto pattern stamped Number 3 as are seppa, no finish left. Tsuka good quality gunto pattern with rare Monkey hand sarute loop. Locking catch missing and missing fish skin in places. Binding intact but dirty. Lots of information on this man. Worthy of restoration”. In his illustrations Bill translates the tang signature. He measures the cutting edge as just over 66 cms, total length 88 cms and describes other blade and tang measurements & characteristics which can be seen in image 2. The price includes UK delivery. ED 3016 £1,695.00 |
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C1800 – 1840’s Japanese Yori Doshi (Armour Piercing) Aikuchi (Dagger Without Tsuba), Scabbard & Kodjuka (Side Knife) & Expert Assessment. Sn 19377:7 - 19377:7 This Aikuchi has been assessed by UK Japanese sword expert Bill Tagg. A copy of his hand written notes and illustrations accompany the knife. In extracts from his notes he states “C1800 – 1840’s Japanese Yori Doshi (Armour Piercing) Aikuchi (Dagger Without Tsuba). This is an unsigned mumei piece. It is in bright condition but has lots of fine scratches which are obscuring the forging details. Can see an undulating notare hamon line with what looks like a nioi crystal edge. Grain is not visible needs a polish (professional) to see what its like. Saya is speckled black lacquer with dark Buffalo horn mounts & a sentoku-Do (brass with golden hue) Kodjuka side knife in fitted pocket. Unsigned blade, hilt decorated with copper & shakudo leaves good condition with a few marks and scratching. A simple tsuka hilt of brown speckled lacquer with line banding decoration & Buffalo horn fuchi & kashira. There is no sign of menuki hilt ornaments ever being fitted NB small bit of damage horn bottom mount. An attractive looking dagger”. In his illustrations of the blade he observes ‘ cutting edge 7” (length) Total length 9 ¾”, Sujikai right slant file marks (on tang), ridge line (blade spine) is iroi mune, mune is flat (tang)’. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 19377:7 (tanto box armoury floor) £895.00 |
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WW2 Era Japanese Type 32 Army & Mounted Infantry Trooper’s Sword & Scabbard. Sn 23353 - 23353 This is a very good original WW2 Japanese Type 32 Army & Mounted Infantry Trooper’s Sword & Scabbard (see Chapter 11 page 119 of Swords Of Imperial Japan By Dawson). The sword has a regulation steel and wood chequered hilt. It has its regulation steel guard with cord slot & its spring loaded scabbard release catch works correctly. It has a 32 ½” fullered curved steel blade with serial number 28584 at the ricasso together with faint indistinct arsenal inspection mark. The blade has just small areas of staining consistent with age and has no damage to the cutting edge. The blade has its original leather hilt washer. The guard has no visible inspection marks which are sometimes found on these swords. The inside of the guard has its original leather thumb loop often absent on these swords. It is complete with original steel scabbard with single steel hanging ring. The scabbard has some small dents consistent with service carry. The shoe of the scabbard has an arsenal inspection mark (illustrated). The price includes UK delivery. Sn 23353 £575.00 |
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**MASTER SMITH**WW2 Japanese Officer's Type 98 Shin Gunto Seki Arsenal Katana Sword With Smith Signed Tang ‘Shinoda Uji Fusa’, Rare Period Expensive Aluminium Scabbard & Expert Assessment. Sn 23322 - 23322 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 pattern army officer’s sword. Blade is a showato, oil–tempered arsenal–produced blade. This smith also worked in take¬ yama sword forging place using yasuki sand iron (known maker of gendaito traditionally forged blades). Maker: shinoda Uji Fusa pupil of watanabe kane naga & kato jumyo, both rated swordsmiths. Uji fusa won 3rd seat in 1941 competition. Rated as joko no retsu (master smith). This blade has a seki arsenal inspection stamp so is not a gendaito. Blade is in bright but scratched condition obscuring the forging details. Appears to have a small bumpy temperline gunome midare with nioi edge to it when looked at in bright sunlight, needs professional polish. Saya metal (aluminium) expensive in its day – you always have problems keeping the paint on this type as it seems to fall away easily. This has been repainted in army colours (used condition). Tsuba is mokko (4 lobed) iron plate been blackened finish no decoration. Made showa period 1940-45. Multiple seppa all number 15 apart from odd one. Tsuka is good but used / carried condition. Has broken locking catch, also has wire sarute loop for tassel (original). Reference: markus sesko book on Japanese sword smiths page 249 & fuller & gregory. Lists of Japanese sword smiths oshigata 156–3, 38–366, 352. Lots of info in books on this man, a trained tosho by two very good masters”. In his illustrations Bill translates the tang signature and identifies an arsenal mark. He describes the cutting edge as 65 cm length and total length 89 cm. He also describes and illustrates other blade measurements and characteristics (illustrated in image 2). The price includes UK delivery. Sn 23322 £1,250.00 |
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**AS FOUND**WW1 1915 British Officer’s WD Enfield 1908 Pattern Heavy Cavalry Troopers Sword With Leather Cord & Acorn Portepee & Scabbard. ED 3043 - ED 3043 This is an original British 1908 Pattern Heavy Cavalry Troopers sword & scabbard. It is as found & has an undamaged 35 ½” single edged blade with fullers (43" overall). The ricasso is date marked ’11/15’ (November 1915) and fitted with original leather hilt washer. It also has WD arrow & EFD (Enfield) manufacturer mark. The spine has ‘08’ (pattern). The bowl guard has no discernible Regiment, maker or date marks. It has a clean undamaged chequered hilt with correct thumb recess to strengthen grip. The guard is fitted with original leather cord with acorn portepee. It is complete with its original steel scabbard with fixed hanging rings. The scabbard has no discernible date, maker or Regiment marks. The price includes UK delivery. ED 3043 £595.00 |
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Commemorative Full Size Reproduction Of French Emperor Napoleon I’s Ceremonial Sword With Ornate Cast Hilt, Blued & Gilt Panels Etched Blade Mounted On Wooden Display Board With Identification Plaque. Sn 23306 - 23306 Napoleon I (Napoléon Bonaparte 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821) was Emperor of the French from 18 May 1804 until his first abdication in 1814, with a brief restoration during the Hundred Days in 1815. He rose to prominence as a general during the French Revolution and led a series of military campaigns across Europe and North Africa during the Napoleonic Wars. He was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo and exiled to Saint Helena, where he died in 1821. This is a Commemorative Full Size reproduction of Napoleon I’s Ceremonial Sword With Ornate Cast Hilt, Blued & Gilt Panels Etched Blade in excellent condition Mounted On Wooden Display Board With Identification Plaque. The hilt is ornate cast brass with martial themes and cross guard with Lion’s head finials. The blade is 27” length and has blued and gilt etched panels on both sides featuring Martial devices. The sword measures 34” overall length. The sword is mounted on a wooden display board. The sword sits neatly on purpose made mounts and can easily be lifted off the board if required. The tip of the secured has a protective plastic tip cover and the tip sits in a small wooden block (the block has a small area of damage on one side that could easily be repaired and is illustrated in the images). The board has a brass plaque engraved in French which roughly translates to ‘Ceremonial Sword Of Emperor Napoleon I’. There are no maker or date marks on the sword or display board. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 23306 (in armoury against gun rack) £275.00 |
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