Home Forums Gear Free Classifieds WWII Japanese officer’s sword

My local gunsmith (years ago) used to do gunshows down in California. Told me he was at a show in Orange County, a guy next to him had a civilian Japanese sword. Two Japanese guys, one carrying a briefcase, stopped at that table. They pulled off the handle, then he looked it up in a book they were carrying, opened the briefcase and counted out $30,000 in cash for the sword.

Years later I was at a local gunshow, one collector had a table with Japanese swords on it. I told him that story, he told me the prices were way down because the Japanese economy had stagnated. And that that buyers book was a ledger with the description, and that they could tell the original owner of the sword by the inscriptions under the handle, and what the owner was willing to pay for the return of the 'Family' sword.

He had a couple of the military 'Samuri' swords on his table. Told me that those were illegal to possess in Japan, so the value was what collectors here in the states would pay.

Jerry

Th eonly way i would display a jap sword would be if it had a bullet hole through it

Thanks for the catalog nyrifleman. I have one my dad brought back from WWII. Gonna do some research. Never part with it, but interesting to know more about it.

Kota

I’ve actually seen a jap sword scabbard with a bullet hole in it, courtesy of a decorated US Marine (Billy G.) who was one of the finest men I’ve ever known. He related the following story, and I’m telling it just like he told me:

He was on Okinawa and his squad was easing into a jap camp that was deserted. No one was there, but all of a sudden a jap officer comes out of the bushes zipping up his pants. All he had was his sword, which he drew and charged Billy. Billy told me “I shot that SOB 7 times.” One of Billy’s rounds went thru the scabbard. He said the best they could figure was the officer was taking a dump and his men saw the Marines coming and left without their commander. Billy kept the sword, scabbard, and a rising sun flag from that camp as a war trophy. Billy G. was a fine man who lived into his 90’s, and had a great life after the war. Men like him bought our freedom… The greatest generation.

Kinda of a few posts but hope you get it if you want it and the seller trusts you. I have an interesting sword that's from the war of Northern Aggression if you will. A Yankee calvary example unfortunately. Not for sale.