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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: mandajo8 on May 16, 2007, 10:23:40 PM
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I have in my posession two swords that are very old. My grandpa brought them home with him from WWII. He was stationed at Okinawa as a truck driver and from what i've been told, he picked these swords up from some fallen soldiers. My grandpa died almost 10 years ago and the story died with him. My grandma doesn't know much about the swords so I am hoping for maybe a little information from anyone on here that may know about them. I will enclose pictures to help. Thanks!
(http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/61/swordpk4.jpg)
Once I took the handle apart, I found this...
(http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7931/swordinside04wq0.jpg)
and this...
(http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/2430/swordinside03le8.jpg)
This is the second sword. Not nearly as detailed and no carvings on the inside of the handle.
(http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/3159/sword09oa3.jpg)
I can always take more pictures if anyone needs me to but I hope the pictures provided help a little. I am VERY interested in learning ANYTHING about these swords because they actually really mean something to me. I have thought maybe the caligraphy (if that's what it's called) on base under the handle, could possibly be the name of the person who owned or made the sword. Could be a long shot, but I'm very curious. Thanks again!
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The writing on the sword says "18th year of the of 9th month of the "Zhao He" period." The Chinese characters are complicated not modern style simplified characters.
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The other two characters seem to be a person's name (though not sure on this one).
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On Japanese swords the 'writing' on the handle are the swordsmith's signature. The one blade pictured appears out of polish. Many Japanese swords were not signed. If it has a serial number then it's not a true Samurai sword and was machine made. Can you provide some close-ups of the blades?
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First of all a big thank you' to chinese antiques. for there reply. were speaking chinese swords. and odd expection to find in okinawa. unless we do a history check.
Sure enough. chinese sword's were being used in okinawa early on. my contention is they are japanese swords. with a chinese owner.
the story goes. a truck driver delivered a load of these swords to and unknown destination after the war in okinawa & destroyed them. by unknown mean's.
sorry for the boreing history.
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My feeling is this is probably genuine (though I really know very little about swords).
Here are two reproduction Chinese swords for comparison's sake:
(http://www.antique-chinese-furniture.com/oscommerce/www/images/Products/A00036/large/A0003620.jpg)
(http://www.antique-chinese-furniture.com/oscommerce/www/images/Products/A00036/large/A0003621.jpg)
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The first sword is a typical wartime WWII Japanese Shingunto sword Shingunto meaning literally New Military Sword,,,the swords date side reads 1944 manufacture, a better shot of the signature will solve that mystery as well. Post closeups here or at my email texasbadger@sbcglobal.net The second sword has a chance of being an older traditionally made sword with a leather "combat cover" which indicates it was pressed into service in WWII. Detailed photos of blades and signature if any on the second sword would help considerably
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Hey' you were missed ! we have a moderator now' who keeps the trash out. keeps the sight clean. Welcome Back.
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Thank you sir, really looking forward to this.