Description:

"SHINTO"-ERA WAKIZASHI BLADE IN "SHIN GUNTO " MOUNTINGS
Finely-forged Japanese wakizashi blade, measuring 21" from "kissaki"(tip) to the habaki stop, and 26 1/2" long overall, likely made during the early Shinto "new swords" era, approx. 1600-1650. The blade is "O-suriage", meaning that it started life as a katana blade, and was cut down at the tang to its current length. The end of the tang shows a small portion of the original hole for the "mekugi" (the peg retaining the grip), and two new mekugi holes have been added. The tang is "mumei", bearing no signature or markings, and shows a fine layer of brown oxidation, with faint horizontal file marks also visible. The blade bears a deep "hi" (fuller) on both faces, which extends along the tang beneath the current grip, further attesting to its modification. The blade shows fine grain under magnification, with a distinct "hamon" delineating the cutting edge. The sword is mounted with a custom-fitted grip in the style of a "shin gunto", military swords of the mid- twentieth century, bringing the total length to 31 1/2". This indicates that the antique blade was given modern mountings for use by an officer or NCO, likely of the World War II period. This grip is wood covered with white ray skin and wrapped with gold silk cord, with brass "menuki" (ornaments) in the form of a cherry blossom inserted beneath the wrapping. The cherry blossom motif continues on the pommel, the "tsuba" and the "habaki". The wakizashi is housed in a rather ill-fitting wood scabbard with a leather combat cover, obviously intended to fit a standard machine-made "shin gunto" as opposed to this custom weapon. The blade shows one ding away from the edge on the reverse face, approx. 5 3/4" from the tip, as well as several patches of light oxidation, with no pitting apparent. The wrapping of the grip shows some wear from use, and the scabbard shows some age wear and staining, else very good.

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May 9, 2017 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000