tball101 Posted November 4, 2013 Share #1 Posted November 4, 2013 Here's a photo of my Fiance' holding the sword I picked up from a vet over the weekend. He served in the 7th infantry division during the battle of Okinawa, where the sword was obtained. The story he told with the sword--He said this sword gave him his closest encounter of death of the whole war. A Japanese soldier took a swing at him with it, he ducked, and the sword struck a rock next to him. (the sword has a small ding in the blade) He "took care of him" and took the sword as a war trophy. (not sure if the story is true, but he had no reason to embellish the story) It was incredible speaking with him and hearing his stories. He has another sword that hopefully I can acquire in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LetsGo82nd Posted November 4, 2013 Share #2 Posted November 4, 2013 Great find! Sourcing a souvenir straight from the veteran is the tops! Congrats. -Jeremy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tball101 Posted November 4, 2013 Author Share #3 Posted November 4, 2013 Thanks! I'm very excited to add it to the collection. It's a great piece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stony Posted November 4, 2013 Share #4 Posted November 4, 2013 Nice! If you take the handle off, you'll probably see a symbol for the 1st Tokyo arsenal. It kind of looks like the symbol for the Olympics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tball101 Posted November 4, 2013 Author Share #5 Posted November 4, 2013 Awesome, I'll have to do that one of these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeadOfSteel Posted November 4, 2013 Share #6 Posted November 4, 2013 Great sword with some great history behind it. I like your German helmets in the background too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieony Posted November 4, 2013 Share #7 Posted November 4, 2013 Always nice to purchase a capture item directly from the veteran! Thanks or posting! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tball101 Posted November 5, 2013 Author Share #8 Posted November 5, 2013 Glad you guys like it! hopefully I can go back and get the other sword one of these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted November 5, 2013 Share #9 Posted November 5, 2013 You might want to think twice about letting your significant other getting comfortable handling such weaponry. Mine is an expert shot with a 9mm.... I have kept that thought in the back of my mind over the years and it has helped with certain decision making. Of course, I was the one that taught her! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tball101 Posted November 5, 2013 Author Share #10 Posted November 5, 2013 HAHA! I needed a good laugh this morning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garandomatic Posted December 11, 2013 Share #11 Posted December 11, 2013 Man, ding in the blade or no, that thing is in beautiful shape. I have been looking only at swords that are in the area of my price range (slightly out of it, actually), and if it explains my finances, they're pretty rough to say the least. I'll unfortunately have to dodge the ebay bullet whenever I get mine, I am afraid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tball101 Posted December 12, 2013 Author Share #12 Posted December 12, 2013 It's an amazing piece and one of the highlights in my collection. I really got lucky purchasing it straight from the vet. He's got an officers sword that had the wooden surrender tags as well that I I'll hopefully purchase after the holidays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieony Posted December 12, 2013 Share #13 Posted December 12, 2013 Very nice sword! Even better since you acquired it directly from the veteran! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gomorgan Posted December 12, 2013 Share #14 Posted December 12, 2013 I like that camo 34th ID helmet in the background..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tball101 Posted December 12, 2013 Author Share #15 Posted December 12, 2013 I like that camo 34th ID helmet in the background..... Heres a link to a post about it-- http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/191434-34th-division-camo/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tball101 Posted December 12, 2013 Author Share #16 Posted December 12, 2013 Very nice sword! Even better since you acquired it directly from the veteran! Mike Here's a photo of the vet with the sword before he sold it to me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunbarrel Posted December 14, 2013 Share #17 Posted December 14, 2013 Priceless! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrkAliteN Posted January 13, 2014 Share #18 Posted January 13, 2014 Here's a photo of the vet with the sword before he sold it to me 1457715_10151803022528445_507432216_n.jpg If that doesn't make you proud to be an American ... NOTHING will. Great pic - very nice looking sword and an awesome photo of the vet holding it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knd643 Posted January 14, 2014 Share #19 Posted January 14, 2014 Awesome find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easterneagle87 Posted January 14, 2014 Share #20 Posted January 14, 2014 WOW! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgtdorango Posted January 15, 2014 Share #21 Posted January 15, 2014 WOW! Ditto!!..................mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack's Son Posted January 15, 2014 Share #22 Posted January 15, 2014 If that doesn't make you proud to be an American ... NOTHING will. Great pic - very nice looking sword and an awesome photo of the vet holding it. Sums it up for me!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
268th C.A. Posted January 16, 2014 Share #23 Posted January 16, 2014 That truly is a great find! I would like you to get a letter hand written by the Vet. Keep it with the sword for history's sake! Think if the history were written with Civil War swords. Priceless! the history of where & how they were obtained! Just my opinion! What a cool story ! Nice piece of history! thanks for sharing! David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panzer 3 Posted February 6, 2014 Share #24 Posted February 6, 2014 Hi, Great sword you have there and to buy it staight from the man who claimed it in battle is something else, he is a very brave man, you have a good collection of militaria there as i can see i also collect the same type of items you have. I have a Japanese flag from Okinowa in my war room that came form a vet in the States, it is on my war room wall thanks for showing your sword. Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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