Help me on a sword bring back I just bought..........yes, blind!

[BrianD]

Hey all.  Not my usual forum to post on but here I am!  I come to you all with my literal "hat in my hand" in hopes that someone can help me with this katana I just bought.  This sword was a bring back, along with a Type 2 Arisaka para rifle (I now own also), and was hoping that some of you out there with knowledge that I clearly don't have could help me identify and authenticate that what I have is what I was told.  

 

Now, I will say that the vets son (himself a Vietnam vet), did talk back in the 80's with a supposed renowned Japanese sword guy in IL named David Pepin.  They were told that this sword dates from the late 1300's and is a copy of a famous maker of the time (I have no idea!).  He said that this was a very old sword that was cut down at some point from a full sized katana.  I will post a bunch of pictures in hope of someone being able to tell me a few things about it.  Is it authentic?  Is it old?  Is it valuable (I already paid so I suppose that it doesn't really matter), and what you think about it.  Here are a lot of pictures for you to look at and give me your thoughts on this bring back.  

Thank you all in advance, as I truly have no idea on these weapons as I am not a Japanese collector.  Thanks!

more.

Pictures of the tang and makers marks......

More tang pics

[Mr. Bushido]

There are two characters on this item.

 

The first is "【来國光】Rai-Kuni-Mitsu".

This is the name of a famous swordsmith, so it matches your post.

 

The second is "【刃長　貮尺貮寸五分】Hacho 2shaku-2sunn-5bu".

This indicates the length of the sword, which is approximately 68 cm (26.8 inches).

[BrianD]

Thank you, Mr. B.  Like I stated, I know next to nothing about these older swords and any information helps!

[SARGE]

I will point out that the wooden scabbard, grip, and associated fittings are storage for the blade.  The blade is considered to be the sword and any wording such as blade length is secondary to the blade.  

 

I hope this is helpful.