Does Anyone Have Any Idea About This Asian (?) Sword?

Casaubon · 13th September 2019, 04:57 PM

Hi
As this is my first post I should first say a big thanks to all the contributors to these boards.
I’ve been getting interested in swords over the last few years, and I’ve learned a lot from this site. Apart from the knowledge gained, you’ve also saved me money by steering me away from a couple of probable fakes.

Does anyone have any idea about this sword?

I bought it without knowing what it was. Normally I’d say that was a dumb move, but I was very curious and it was affordable.

I can’t see any makers or other marks.
It feels very solid, and fairly heavy for its size – 1kg without the scabbard.

The blade is 615mm, the hilt 150mm (not including the suspension loop).
I think the blade may be of a laminated type, but my inexperienced eyes can’t confidently see through the dirt and tarnish. It has a pretty good edge.
The brass components of the hilt show traces of silver plating.

The shape of the blade (goose wing?) to me looks possibly Chinese, and the hilt looks very vaguely Tibetan...........maybe.

If I had to guess I’d say it might be from China, perhaps from a local armoury or arsenal during the first half of the last century. But that’s just a wild, uneducated guess, I have no idea really.

I’d be very grateful for your opinions.
I’m sorry the pics are pretty poor, I’m happy to try and take some better ones if it’d be helpful.

Thanks in advance,

Casaubon

RobT · 15th September 2019, 03:57 AM

The picture is small but from what I can see, the metal tassel ring looks like the one on my NCO shin gunto. Considering the length of the sheath, could the tip of the sword have been broken?

Sincerely,
RobT

Rich · 15th September 2019, 01:08 PM

Sorry, but the closest that has been to Japan is China or Indonesia,etc.
Not a Japanese NCO or Shingunto IMHO.
Rich

David R · 15th September 2019, 06:43 PM

Best guess is Indonesian, imitating a Shin Gunto. We know these were made with very variable approaches to copying the original. Carried by officers in PETA ... The Indonesian Independence militia.

RobT · 16th September 2019, 05:46 AM

Rich,

I'm sorry for being unclear. I didn't mean to imply that the sword was in any way Japanese but rather that the part may have come from a Japanese model 95 or may have been copied from same. I still wonder if the tip of the blade had been broken off.

Sincerely,
RobT

kronckew · 16th September 2019, 09:12 AM

Almost bid on that one myself. It's an oddball and opened cheaply.

Had other irons in the fire tho. The Dutch are fond of clip pointed swords, so may have been a Dutch East Indies area marriage. guard look dished like a Chinese one, tonku looks odd, grip is round like Burmese/Thai Dha/Daab, raised rim bits of wood over brass are odd, and the loop on the pommel may have been for a sword knot or tassel. All in all - unusual. Probably WW2, doubt it was in any way japanese military. Police maybe?

13th September 2019, 04:57 PM	#1
Casaubon Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Posts: 2	Does Anyone Have Any Idea About This Asian (?) Sword? Hi As this is my first post I should first say a big thanks to all the contributors to these boards. I’ve been getting interested in swords over the last few years, and I’ve learned a lot from this site. Apart from the knowledge gained, you’ve also saved me money by steering me away from a couple of probable fakes. Does anyone have any idea about this sword? I bought it without knowing what it was. Normally I’d say that was a dumb move, but I was very curious and it was affordable. I can’t see any makers or other marks. It feels very solid, and fairly heavy for its size – 1kg without the scabbard. The blade is 615mm, the hilt 150mm (not including the suspension loop). I think the blade may be of a laminated type, but my inexperienced eyes can’t confidently see through the dirt and tarnish. It has a pretty good edge. The brass components of the hilt show traces of silver plating. The shape of the blade (goose wing?) to me looks possibly Chinese, and the hilt looks very vaguely Tibetan...........maybe. If I had to guess I’d say it might be from China, perhaps from a local armoury or arsenal during the first half of the last century. But that’s just a wild, uneducated guess, I have no idea really. I’d be very grateful for your opinions. I’m sorry the pics are pretty poor, I’m happy to try and take some better ones if it’d be helpful. Thanks in advance, Casaubon Attached Images

15th September 2019, 03:57 AM	#2
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 488	broken tip? The picture is small but from what I can see, the metal tassel ring looks like the one on my NCO shin gunto. Considering the length of the sheath, could the tip of the sword have been broken? Sincerely, RobT

15th September 2019, 06:43 PM	#4
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,079	Best guess is Indonesian, imitating a Shin Gunto. We know these were made with very variable approaches to copying the original. Carried by officers in PETA ... The Indonesian Independence militia. Attached Images

15th September 2019, 01:08 PM	#3
Rich Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: comfortably at home, USA Posts: 432	Sorry, but the closest that has been to Japan is China or Indonesia,etc. Not a Japanese NCO or Shingunto IMHO. Rich

16th September 2019, 05:46 AM	#5
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 488	Rich, I'm sorry for being unclear. I didn't mean to imply that the sword was in any way Japanese but rather that the part may have come from a Japanese model 95 or may have been copied from same. I still wonder if the tip of the blade had been broken off. Sincerely, RobT

16th September 2019, 09:12 AM	#6
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,182	Almost bid on that one myself. It's an oddball and opened cheaply. Had other irons in the fire tho. The Dutch are fond of clip pointed swords, so may have been a Dutch East Indies area marriage. guard look dished like a Chinese one, tonku looks odd, grip is round like Burmese/Thai Dha/Daab, raised rim bits of wood over brass are odd, and the loop on the pommel may have been for a sword knot or tassel. All in all - unusual. Probably WW2, doubt it was in any way japanese military. Police maybe?