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Chinese reproduction Katana markings

Featured Replies

#1

Can anyone assist in reading the writing on this blade? 20250724_100842.jpg.4e07a09656b7f316c3d32454c49448d3.jpg20250724_100921.jpg.e21ce1d0e516efad7d7f51d26ac08ac1.jpg

 

Thanks

#2

"Emperor 天皇" and "Showa 17 昭和十七年".

 

If it were genuine, the former word would not be engraved.

  • Author
#3

Thank you Mr Bushido. Do you have any idea what the other text is? Japan spent a lot of time in China. Is it possible it was a Chinese capture modified to sell as a knock off?

 

#4

It is rare for letters to be engraved in the location shown in the photo above.

 

In the location shown in the photo below, the year is engraved, just like in the photo.

  • Author
#5

Thank you once again for the information you provided. I know the info on sword should be on the tang

 

On more question. The profit margin has to be pretty slim creating forergeries especially with these low end katanas.  Could this katana have been left by a soldier.

 

Thank for all your for all for all your input! 

 

 

#6

Is it an NCO sword?

  • Author
#7

I do not know. Anywhere I should be looking? 

 

 

According to another knowledgeable source there writing wouldn't be on the blade.

Ive added according to another knowledgeable source there writing wouldn't be on the blade.

 

I'm adding a couple pics with scabbard.

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#8

Is there a number stamped into the trail?

  • Author
#9

Additional information - single tang & nothing written on it

The only numbers on this sword are those on the blade. I was expecting a double tang / split tang & signature.

 

This sword was made at a factory until '45

 

#10
25 minutes ago, War in Pacific said:

Additional information - single tang & nothing written on it

The only numbers on this sword are those on the blade. I was expecting a double tang / split tang & signature.

 

This sword was made at a factory until '45

 


The trail is on the end of the scabbard, there might be a number stamped there and do you have a better picture of the handle? Maybe use a medium grey background or something darker than your carpet. The pictures will come out lighter.

  • Author
#11

I dont have better pics right now but can have some later tonight. The pics I took earlier were  intended for quick post

 

 

The only numbers on this sword are those on the blade. I was expecting a double tang / split tang & signature.

 

This sword was made at a factory until '45

 

20250725_170259.jpg.2507a7332ef14243682fd85a9cf9411e.jpg20250725_165814.jpg.1c81eecfd542820aca5ab11738564104.jpg20250725_165809.jpg.a98fd1f471d9e1a4040b28c9a9a5790e.jpg20250725_165814.jpg.1c81eecfd542820aca5ab11738564104.jpg20250725_165809.jpg.a98fd1f471d9e1a4040b28c9a9a5790e.jpg20250725_165924.jpg.2459e192ba70a37440c48e648abdab2f.jpg

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20250725_135448.jpg

#12

From the photos, it looks like an NCO sword because there is a leaf spring that secures the sword to the sheath and shape of the tip of the sheath.

 

Is the handle pressed metal and painted to make it look handmade?

 

If so, it would likely be an NCO sword.

  • Author
#13
1 hour ago, Mr. Bushido said:

From the photos, it looks like an NCO sword because there is a leaf spring that secures the sword to the sheath and shape of the tip of the sheath.

 

Is the handle pressed metal and painted to make it look handmade?

 

If so, it would likely be an NCO sword.

 

The handle is brass & painted black. The paint does make it look more 'authentic'

#14

Check the other end of the scabbard for the number. It should be on the end.

  • Author
#15

I don't see any numbers there either 

  • Author
#16
On 7/25/2025 at 9:00 PM, Mr. Bushido said:

From the photos, it looks like an NCO sword because there is a leaf spring that secures the sword to the sheath and shape of the tip of the sheath.

 

Is the handle pressed metal and painted to make it look handmade?

 

If so, it would likely be an NCO sword.

Thanks for your input Mr Bushido. I thought that this was one of the manufactured NCO swords. Didn't make sense to make counterfeits of that sword. The ROI had to be minimal.

  • Author
#17
On 7/25/2025 at 10:37 PM, War in Pacific said:

 

The handle is brass & painted black. The paint does make it look more 'authentic'

The hand grip is 2 parts & made of brass. I've not found a simple procedure to remove them

 

  • 2 months later...
  • Author
#18
On 7/25/2025 at 10:37 PM, War in Pacific said:

 

The handle is brass & painted black. The paint does make it look more 'authentic'

After more time with the piece, the black paint underneath was a brass handle 

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