Korean War Sword?

kronckew · 30th July 2019, 04:07 PM

This was billed as a "Korean War Sword".
Not sure if they meant a sword from the Korean war, or that it was a war-sword from Korea. In any case, I have a feeling it is neither, and invite your opinions. I find Auctioneer's descriptions are often more humorous than factual.

To me it looks more like a blacksmith made Vietnamese Guom, what I'd call a 'villager, a local blacksmith's product for home defence.

90cm overall/ 70cm blade. labelled as made in 1940. Scabbard is wood in two halves held together with the thin steel bands and chape, no suspension rings. guard is not flimsy steel sheet metal, looks like it was forged/hammered to shape. Blade tang is peened over the end of the guard knuckle bow. Grip is substantial, and easily held with two hands. Blade is heavy, nicely distal tapered & Sharp as heck too. No markings of course. Suspect Vietnam/Cambodia...
(The black spot on the bolster is just that, a discolouration, not a hole, not even pitted. It needs a bit of TLC)

30th July 2019, 04:07 PM	#1
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,181	Korean War Sword? This was billed as a "Korean War Sword". Not sure if they meant a sword from the Korean war, or that it was a war-sword from Korea. In any case, I have a feeling it is neither, and invite your opinions. I find Auctioneer's descriptions are often more humorous than factual. To me it looks more like a blacksmith made Vietnamese Guom, what I'd call a 'villager, a local blacksmith's product for home defence. 90cm overall/ 70cm blade. labelled as made in 1940. Scabbard is wood in two halves held together with the thin steel bands and chape, no suspension rings. guard is not flimsy steel sheet metal, looks like it was forged/hammered to shape. Blade tang is peened over the end of the guard knuckle bow. Grip is substantial, and easily held with two hands. Blade is heavy, nicely distal tapered & Sharp as heck too. No markings of course. Suspect Vietnam/Cambodia... (The black spot on the bolster is just that, a discolouration, not a hole, not even pitted. It needs a bit of TLC) Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 30th July 2019 at 04:18 PM.