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WWII JAPANESE MILITIA KATANA SWORD - 23 -
At the end of WWII, the Japanese people were forbidden to own swords. many of them surrender them to the American troops where the GI's had the opportunity to pick them and bring them back to the states as war souvenirs.
Since those days the appreciation for the craftsmanship and beauty of the Samurai sword has increased year by year. Turning the sword into one of the most sought after military antiques. The Katana was developed during the Momoyama period in Japanese history. The length of the sword allowed the warrior to fight from horseback. The curve in the blade facilitated a slashing motion.

The item featured here is a Japanese Katana Samurai sword. It is mounted on a civilian attire.

The fittings on this sword are very nice. The blade shows some damage on both sides. primarily near the tip. The blade should clean up nicely with polishing.

The scabbard of the sword is of wood. Covered with black lacker. One of the sides shows some cracking.



Japanese Katana miltia sword

Learn more about collecting Samurai swords

The Samurai sword has a very rich history. The sword has been manufactured for several centuries and continues to be produced today. The sword represented more than just a weapon. It was the soul of the Samurai warrior.

When attempting to identify the type of sword you have It is important to keep in mind that the fittings of a sword (scabbard, handle, crossguard. etc.) may be identical from one sword to another. The reason why is because during WWII the same fittings were used in all Army swords, Navy swords, etc. Armed forces are all about uniformity. They strive to make everything the same. This is the reason why a sword cannot be identified merely by its external appearance.

Understanding the different components that make up the Samurai sword is the first step in figuring out the type of sword you have. That is the reason why we have created the Understanding the Samurai sword section as a means to provide a novice with the basic knowledge to start the path of determining the questions everyone has; who made the sword, how old it is nad how much it is worth.


Militia sword handle with bird Menuki


The handle in this sword remains tight. It has not been loosen with use. Shark or Ray skin is used to line under the cloth wrappings. The Menuki were used to adorn each side of the handle. Their placement was roughly at the center of the handle.

The top of the handle is capped with a piece of metal. Their design can range from simple to very ornate. In this sample it is very simple.

The fittings of the sword were normally created by craftsmen who specialized in the making of the part. The blade smith would not be the one making the scabbard, or Tsuba, etc.



Militia sword tang signature


This page is a recognition and identification guide for Samurai swords. Multiple detailed photos of a specific sample are provided. Descriptions point out clearly defined points that should be noted.

One of the most commonly asked questions is "How much is my Samurai Sword worth?". A price guide is included here to address this question. The value of the swords is reviewed over a period of several years. A trend can be observed. The present worth of the edge weapons in the collector's market is illustrated.

This service is provided free of charge to the visitor/enthusiast courtesy of MilitaryItems.com, a company dedicated to the preservation of military history and to providing quality military antiques and collectibles to museums, institutions and the general public.

WANT TO LEARN MORE?
  1. FAQ's
  2. Samurai sword examples
  3. Samurai sword periods
  4. Samurai Swordsmith schools
  5. Samurai sword anatomy
  6. The Menuki
  7. The Tsuba
  8. The Samurai blade tip
  9. Reading the sword's signature
  10. Samurai sword care
  11. Identifying sword reproductions
  12. Ready to buy a sword






Samurai sword lacquered scabbard

The swordsmith signed the sword once it was determined that it met the quality standards set by the school where the sword was forged. The signature was placed on the Tang. The size and shape of the Tang are indicating factors of which school produced the sword.


Civilian samurai sword Habaki


The length of this sword is approximatelly 37 inches. This measure was performed with the sword inside the scabbard. the typical length of the blade (from the top of the tang, with the handle off, to the tip) was between 25 inches to 30 inches.



Civilian samurai sword blade Hamon


GI holding a captured Samurai sword

WE BUY JAPANESE SWORDS - All types of Japanese edge weapons. Whether it is a WWII era Samurai sword or an older type of blade.

The process gets started by you sending us an Email . We will respond to your inquiry normally within 24 hours and in many cases much faster.

We can tell you what you have, what it is worth and how much we can pay you.

One sword or an entire collection - Email Us .

GI coming hone with a Samurai sword



Civilian Samurao sword handle

The Menuki is in the shape of a bird. It dates back to the early 1900's or the late 1800's. A close look at the white shark/ray skin reveals a series of bumps.


Samurai sword bird Menuki


Samurai sword handle throat

The following picture shows the Tsuba and all of its spacers (Seppa). The design of the Tsuba is solid and very plain. No decorations. The spacers are often marked with a production number. In this case they are blank. The collar (Fuchi) is also devoid of decorations. It is plain brass.


Militia samurai sword Tsuba parts

The pommel cap (Kashira) is of plain brass construction. no ornamentation. The design matches the Fuchi.


Militia sword handle pommel


Side view of militia samurai sword Fuchi

The tang has a signature on one side. The same side also has a Seki stamp. This is an indication that the blade was manufactured using mass produced techniques in a factory during WWII.

The tang has a single hole drilled near the base. This is where the wooden peg passes to secure the handle to the blade. The sword has not been shortened.


Close up view of Samurai sword signature


WWII Samurai sword Seki stamp


View of full Samurai sword signed tang


Militia Katana sword blade tip


Militia Katana sword blade other side of tip


By the Numbers
It is next to impossible to determine the exact number of Samurai swords that were produced and issued to Japanese soldiers during the war. However, thanks to the record keeping maintained by the US Armed Forces, it is possible to estimate how many swords were actually shipped home.


Graph of number of Samurai swords brought back after the war

There were over 500,000 Samurai swords were brought back home as souvenirs from the war.

There are several caviats to this number.

Captured Japanese WWII items

For example, some soldiers took souvenirs and shipped them home circumbenting the established process. Some of the swords were brought back inside duffle bags without anyone knowing except for the soldier who captured the sword. This fact would clearly affect the final count.

The number also does not account for swords that were taken by Allied soldiers from other countries.



Collecting Samurai swords
Collecting Samurai swords is a field that has been growing since the days the GI's rummaged around Asia bringing back military souvenirs. Japanese soldiers carried many of these swords when they went to battle. Once the soldier was killed or captured, the Americans would take the edge weapons as war trophies. Eventually all these pieces came back to the United States where military history enthusiasts began to collect them.


A collector examining a Samurai sword

In trying to determine if you should collect Samurai swords there are certain factors that should be considered.

The adjacent table outlines some of the advantages and disadvantages of collecting the Samurai swords.

Advantages/Disadvantages of collecting Samurai swords


This Samurai Sword may be currently reproduced. It is becoming more difficult to be able to tell the fake ones from the real ones because the quality of the reproductions is improving. The collector must become familiarized with the construction style and materials employed in the manufacturing of this item. Attention to the details is critical in order to be able to determine the authenticity of the collectible.



If you have an interest is seeing other Japanese Samurai swords, you can do so by going to our Japanese Samurai Swords Price Guide identification guide. Where we cover Samurai swords from all periods.





PRICING GUIDE INFORMATION

The value for the Samurai sword and other military antiques and collectibles is provided as a means to educate the collector community and individuals who have a general interest on the field. The following is an estimated value. Prices may vary in every state and every country. This service is provided courtesy of MilitaryItems.com. The source for military antiques and collectibles in the web.

Year 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027
Value $450.00 $470.00 $500.00 $530.00 $550.00 $575.00 $600.00 $630.00 $650.00 $650.00 $670.00 $700.00 $720.00 $750.00 $800.00 $850.00
Availability Medium Medium Medium Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare
Invest Grade B B B B B B A A A A A A A A A A A


While the item featured here is not for sale, similar items like it are available for purchase in our website MilitaryItems.com


 
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