ANCIENT C1700 BLADE**WW2 Smith Signed Tang ‘So (Kyudai Den Judai Me) ‘2 Ways To Read) Minamoto Nobu Kuni Kyudai Me’ Japanese Army Officer’s Type 98 Gunto With Samurai Silver Family Mon Badge, Rank Tassel, Scabbard Bag / Cover & Expert Assessment S Sword

**ANCIENT C1700 BLADE**WW2 Smith Signed Tang ‘So (Kyudai Den Judai Me) ‘2 Ways To Read) Minamoto Nobu Kuni Kyudai Me’ Japanese Army Officer’s Type 98 Gunto With Samurai Silver Family Mon Badge, Rank Tassel, Scabbard Bag / Cover & Expert Assessment. sn 23715

This superb sword has been assessed by a UK based Japanese sword expert Bill Tagg. His assessment accompanies this piece. ‘A type 98 shin gunto (army) officers sword with antique signed blade ‘so (kyudai den judai me) ‘2 ways to read) minamoto nobu kuni kyudai me’ see markus sesko book page 303 he translates it to so judai me. This man is claiming to be 10th generation from shodai 1334 to 1388 originally translated to 9th generation by its previous owner?. 10th generation working circa 1688/1704. A good long lasting family of smiths needs to go to japan for papers to i.d. Which swordsmith made this? In original old polish, with some scratches and fading. He died in 1699 in morioka. Kosherae mounts, saya gunto metal (parade) in quality olive green paint, good but worn and chipped condition + some rust. Nice brown patination on metal mounts. Tsuba (handguard) in cast brass? No gilt left but nice brown patination no 35 with matching no seppa (washers). Habaki (blade collar) copper with real silver foil cover (good quality). Tsuka (hilt) all complete with working safety catch, knot loop (sarute) copper wire Gilt menuki & knot/tassel lt/captains rank blue and brown good ito binding And fish skin. Family badge silver mon katahami (oxalis) wild sorrel flower on kabuto gane (top hilt fitting). Used by familys matsubayashi, ogamachi and beze daimyo samurai suski. A fine quality collectors sword with antique signed blade circa 1700’. In his notes Bill describes the cutting edge as just under 63cms length and overall length as 78 cms. He also translates the blade signature and date and describes other blade characteristics and dimensions. The price for this impressive sword, by a best quality family of Smith’s an ancient Samurai blade taken to WW2 with expert assessment includes UK delivery. Sn 23715

£2,250.00