Advice to novice?

[Tim Simmons]

I have been dipping my toe into the world of military swords. Rather new to me. This change is due to the fact that ethno weapons have become ridculously expensive. There was a time when militaria dealers let ethno stuff go at reasonable prices as they knew little about them. Not the case now even though largely they still know little about them. The ethno dealers have gone mad in my oppinion. The value for money for some military sword in the UK has amazed me, so I now have a small collection. One is unlikly to find a sleeper in military swords.

What I would like to know ; is there acode of conduct , for want of better words , about cleaning or even polishing military swords? which would have been kept clean in the days of use. Here are two Japanese swords common items. The baldes are fine but what about the scabbards? The infantry one has chrome plating tanished blue black, should I clean them? what with? what metal polish is used? Thanks in advance.

[Jim McDougall]

Good questions Tim. You are incredibly experienced and knowledgeable in arms study and collecting as well known here for many years. Its funny, I went from collecting British cavalry swords for many years into the field of ethnographic weapons.

What compelled me was the pairing of certain British forms with the colonial campaign activity in which they would have been adversaries or associated in any way. The Sudan was the first such area, and when I discovered the remarkable history of the kaskaras...next was India, and so on.

Regarding the price issues, I agree the ridiculous pricing has become an issue...ironically, if one goes to sell an example privately..good luck getting those kinds of prices!!!!

It is a matter of seeking good opportunities in often little traveled places, or private transactions it seems.

With those Japanese NCO swords, if I recall many from early 20th, even into the Russo- Japanese war, they are interesting items when linked to some of those historic events.
For me re: cleaning etc........one word most important....restraint!

I think just stablilizing any corrosion or damage, but leaving patination etc in place is best. Overcleaning or any notable cleaning is often seen as diminishing the collectible integrity of the weapon IMO.

I dont think any regulation code of conduct is necessary in the private collecting of these weapons, and of course such matters varied in different countries and times. With the US military, swords were mostly regarded as superfluous, and not in great favor. In the Civil War there were so few records of sword wounds that it was obvious they were only incidentally ever used.
Most were never even sharpened.

The most ubiquitous, the US M1840 dragoon saber was called the "old wristbreaker" by the troops. They were so ill trained in sword exercise that using them without often led to injuries mishandling these heavy sabers.
The swords were left behind at Little Big Horn.
When Pershing's cavalry rode into Mexico chasing Villa, the troops threw their swords into the desert disgustedly as hindrances.

I think that clearly a military sword would have been treated like any element of uniform kit, and kept clean. From what I recall of my own military experience, the standards were ridiculous!

Probably chrome polish as used from automotive stores. Chrome is a quite modern category so I dont think that would be impairing if applied.

Modern militaria is of course not a topic here, but many 19th century forms transcend in varying degree.

Personally I like those Japanese swords, had one once, now I sorta miss it!!! Thanks Tim!!!