japanese sword id please
 

I picked this sword up today at a local antique fair ,I paid £100 for it without knowing much about it or its value , I think its a ww2 army issue sword , any information on it would be much apretiated,
thanks

Well it's far from my expertise, but I think that's a copy.
Did you try to open the hilt?

It's trying to be an NCO sword, but I tend to agree- most likely a copy. I've seen numerous NCO swords, but never one with Kanji on blade, usually just a serial number in Roman numerals. Also the lock doesn't look right among other things.

Rich

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Richard Stein, PhD, FAIC

Japanese Sword Guide
http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/nihonto.htm

Chinese fake I think. The handle retaining screw is not correct, the blade should have a habaki (collar) and the kanji on the blade is spurious

Yep, a Chinese "fake." The best possible construction is that it a post-War weapon made for the Peoples' Army - they did use IJA weapons as proto-types. It looks rather solidly made, but the Japanese date Showa 17, or 1942, is spurious. Whoever is making these things is getting better and better.
Peter

Are there any markings on the handle just above the tsuba ?

Any chance to see the scabbard under the leather cover ?

oh well looks ive been caught out , like my dad use to say, stick to what you know, not sure what to do with it now maybe stick it in auction I guess its not worth much ,
thanks for all your replies