Got this at an estate sale of a retired Army officer. What can anyone tell me about this sword?? I can't find any markings on it at all.

 

thanks,

Dave

What can anyone tell me about this sword?? I can't find any markings on it at all.

thanks,

Dave

 

Dave:

 

I am no sword expert, but I think I am safe in saying that this blade is not a US military sword. If that symbol on the top of the rear of the grip is a chrysanthemum then my guess would be that the sword is Japanese in origin. It appears very similar to the Russo-Japanese style of sword used by Japanese Army officers from the R-J War up through WW2.

 

Perhaps that bit of information will be enough to point you in the right direction. If it turns out not to be a US sword then it won't meet the Forum Rules that restrict topics to US Military subjects.

 

Good luck.

 

Regards,

Charlie Flick

I agree with Charlie....definitely NOT US military. Japanese is a good guess

 

Greg

Dave,

 

You have a circa 1877 style Japanese NCO sword for Cavalry, Artillery, Transport and Engineer Non-Coms. These are fairly scarce swords but are machine made and do have a lot of value. Your US Army officer probably captured the sword or picked it up in Japan.

 

I hope this is helpful.

Sarge, thanks for the info. Funny that it appears to be chrome plated in places. I guess they started that process earlier than I thought. Any thoughts as to it's value?

 

Charlie, should I delete this post or will you?

 

thanks, Dave

Dave,

 

I will PM you with more information about your sword.

Sarge, thanks for the info. Funny that it appears to be chrome plated in places. I guess they started that process earlier than I thought. Any thoughts as to it's value?

 

Charlie, should I delete this post or will you?

 

thanks, Dave

 

Because this thread was to help ID an unknown sword, we'll leave it up in order to help others trying to ID swords. I think most of us encountering a sword at an estate sale would have little clue as to its origins, so this thread is not about showing off a sword, but rather a lesson in ID'ing swords.

Symbol on handle looks like Japanese POLICE. Sword is low value: probably less than $75.00 .