mvmhm Posted January 29, 2022 Share #1 Posted January 29, 2022 Talk about perfect timing! Several years ago we accepted a long term loan of a Japanese officer's sword; the owner requested it's return last week, and the next day, as we were moving more items into the building a man stopped his car in the middle of the street and asked if we'd be interested in his Grandfather's war trophy - a Japanese officer's sword! He delivered it yesterday and it even includes the sword belt and hanger. We're waiting on the sailor's information (Richard Bailey.) The drag is missing, but the belt is still nice and pliable. Mark sends Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvmhm Posted January 29, 2022 Author Share #2 Posted January 29, 2022 The tang is signed, but I'm sure it's a machine made blade - I found one on eBay while looking for a drag...down to the same odd "mum" on the hilt, but with a longer signature.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvmhm Posted January 29, 2022 Author Share #3 Posted January 29, 2022 ...and the belt. The man said his Grandfather took it from the body of a dead officer, but who knows. When I saw the sword belt attached, I hoped there would be a surrender tag attached. But alas, no joy in Mudville. Mark sends Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted January 29, 2022 Share #4 Posted January 29, 2022 Beautiful set Mark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony V Posted January 29, 2022 Share #5 Posted January 29, 2022 Mark Great looking set indeed, congratulations. Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USCapturephotos Posted January 29, 2022 Share #6 Posted January 29, 2022 Wow! That’s great. I dream of such veteran bring backs these days. Thanks for sharing! Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvmhm Posted January 29, 2022 Author Share #7 Posted January 29, 2022 I can't begin to figure the odds that I gave up one sword and almost immediately another comes along...hopefully the man will send me the info and photo of his Grandfather so I can fill in those blanks...he has other items too, so eventually those will make their way here. Mark sends Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted January 29, 2022 Share #8 Posted January 29, 2022 Thank you Mark. It would be most appreciated if you could also post this on our sister website, The World Militaria Forum. We are hoping to build up content there and this is an excellent item for that purpose. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rakkasan187 Posted January 29, 2022 Share #9 Posted January 29, 2022 Mark, Great story, a one for one swap so to speak.. Best regards, stay safe Leigh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Keith Posted January 30, 2022 Share #10 Posted January 30, 2022 That sword is worthy of some more research. I think that is a family marking on the handle. Great item, super that it came with the belt! BKW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted January 31, 2022 Share #11 Posted January 31, 2022 On 1/29/2022 at 11:20 AM, gwb123 said: Thank you Mark. It would be most appreciated if you could also post this on our sister website, The World Militaria Forum. We are hoping to build up content there and this is an excellent item for that purpose. Thanks. It appears you are already registered there, so your addition of this item would be a good place to get additional information from our collectors of Japanese militaria. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvmhm Posted February 2, 2022 Author Share #12 Posted February 2, 2022 I'll post it there shortly... Mark sends Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted February 2, 2022 Share #13 Posted February 2, 2022 Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodes Posted February 2, 2022 Share #14 Posted February 2, 2022 On 1/30/2022 at 1:59 PM, Brian Keith said: That sword is worthy of some more research. I think that is a family marking on the handle. Great item, super that it came with the belt! BKW Mon is a family crest, and this spot on the sword's handle is where they are often found....Bodes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Kibler Posted February 3, 2022 Share #15 Posted February 3, 2022 Beautiful!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvmhm Posted February 3, 2022 Author Share #16 Posted February 3, 2022 After posting on the WMF, I learned the belt is an early style worn by NCOs and Warrant Officers...Warrants wore the Type 95 like officers. The small emblem is the family crest ("Mon") of the Tokugawa clan. Members of the clan ruled Japan as shōguns from 1603 to 1867. Not bad for a walk-in. Mark sends Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted February 3, 2022 Share #17 Posted February 3, 2022 Good chance that is an old vs Showa blade too. The polish looks bad on it however, but if its an important blake, it might be worth getting it properly polished. The red rust on the tang is more recent. It does have some old pitting on the tang however, Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connor1941 Posted February 6, 2022 Share #18 Posted February 6, 2022 Great looking set! Always wonderful to find something so complete! A sword with the original belt! Incredible find! Best regards, Connor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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