Home Home
FOR SALE
   Click on the sword for additional details !

WWII JAPANESE ARMY SAMURAI SWORD KATANA - LATE WAR #8
The Samurai sword is perhaps the most recognizable sword of all times. The legendary feats of the Samurai warrior have helped romantizied the sword itself. Today, it's reputation as a weapon and its beauty as a piece of arthas turned it into one of the most desirable military antiques in the market.


Late war Samurai sword blade tip

The sword featured here is an example of late war production. The fittings are very plain and lack the decor of fittings found in swords of earlier production.

The handle is wrapped with the army issued olive drab cloth. The scabbard is outfitted by a brown leather cover with two snaps that hold it secure.

WWII Katana scabbard leather snap

The blade in this example has been polished to the point of removing the Hamon (edge design). Some pitting and rust are also present. Fingerprint marks are a common blemish on swords. This is why the blade should never be touched with bare hands.

The snaps on the brown leather cover is very representative of the manufacturing technique used during WWII. Over time the leather shrinks and makes it very difficult to remove the leather cover from the scabbard itself.



GI holding a captured Samurai sword

WE BUY JAPANESE SWORDS - All types of Japanese edge weapons. Whether it is a WWII era Samurai sword or an older type of blade.

The process gets started by you sending us an Email . We will respond to your inquiry normally within 24 hours and in many cases much faster.

We can tell you what you have, what it is worth and how much we can pay you.

One sword or an entire collection - Email Us .

GI coming hone with a Samurai sword



Some collectors recomend the use of leather conditioner to keep the leather supple and to slow down its deterioration. Saddle soap is a commonly used agent for this purpose.

The handle is loosely wrapped. The standard Menuki used during WWII is present. The pommel (Kashira) consists of a brass cap with two butterfly cut-outs applied one on top of each other to each side. A wire type lanyard loop swivels from the center of the pommel cap.

The fit of the brass pommel is not as firm as those found in earlier swords.

Katana handle wrapping Samurai sword handle pommel variation


Learn more about collecting Samurai swords

The Samurai sword has a very rich history. The sword has been manufactured for several centuries and continues to be produced today. The sword represented more than just a weapon. It was the soul of the Samurai warrior.

When attempting to identify the type of sword you have It is important to keep in mind that the fittings of a sword (scabbard, handle, crossguard. etc.) may be identical from one sword to another. The reason why is because during WWII the same fittings were used in all Army swords, Navy swords, etc. Armed forces are all about uniformity. They strive to make everything the same. This is the reason why a sword cannot be identified merely by its external appearance.

Understanding the different components that make up the Samurai sword is the first step in figuring out the type of sword you have. That is the reason why we have created the Understanding the Samurai sword section as a means to provide a novice with the basic knowledge to start the path of determining the questions everyone has; who made the sword, how old it is nad how much it is worth.

This page is a recognition and identification guide for Samurai swords. Multiple detailed photos of a specific sample are provided. Descriptions point out clearly defined points that should be noted.

One of the most commonly asked questions is "How much is my Samurai Sword worth?". A price guide is included here to address this question. The value of the swords is reviewed over a period of several years. A trend can be observed. The present worth of the edge weapons in the collector's market is illustrated.

This service is provided free of charge to the visitor/enthusiast courtesy of MilitaryItems.com, a company dedicated to the preservation of military history and to providing quality military antiques and collectibles to museums, institutions and the general public.

WANT TO LEARN MORE?
  1. FAQ's
  2. Samurai sword examples
  3. Samurai sword periods
  4. Samurai Swordsmith schools
  5. Samurai sword anatomy
  6. The Menuki
  7. The Tsuba
  8. The Samurai blade tip
  9. Reading the sword's signature
  10. Samurai sword care
  11. Identifying sword reproductions
  12. Ready to buy a sword




The Tsuba is solid brass and of very plain construction. There are no patterns or markings found in it. The throat of the scabbard is secure by a metal band. The Habaki is of copper construction and it is not lined with any other material.

Samurai sword scabbard neck Samurai sword Tsuba


The Katana sword was first born during the Momoyama period. Its length is usually between 24" to 30". The sword was initially developed for the purpose of allowing the Samrai to fight from horse back. For that intent the sword had to be long enough to provide reach and light enough to be held with a single hand.



By the Numbers
It is next to impossible to determine the exact number of Samurai swords that were produced and issued to Japanese soldiers during the war. However, thanks to the record keeping maintained by the US Armed Forces, it is possible to estimate how many swords were actually shipped home.


Graph of number of Samurai swords brought back after the war

There were over 500,000 Samurai swords were brought back home as souvenirs from the war.

There are several caviats to this number.

Captured Japanese WWII items

For example, some soldiers took souvenirs and shipped them home circumbenting the established process. Some of the swords were brought back inside duffle bags without anyone knowing except for the soldier who captured the sword. This fact would clearly affect the final count.

The number also does not account for swords that were taken by Allied soldiers from other countries.



Collecting Samurai swords
Collecting Samurai swords is a field that has been growing since the days the GI's rummaged around Asia bringing back military souvenirs. Japanese soldiers carried many of these swords when they went to battle. Once the soldier was killed or captured, the Americans would take the edge weapons as war trophies. Eventually all these pieces came back to the United States where military history enthusiasts began to collect them.


A collector examining a Samurai sword

In trying to determine if you should collect Samurai swords there are certain factors that should be considered.

The adjacent table outlines some of the advantages and disadvantages of collecting the Samurai swords.

Advantages/Disadvantages of collecting Samurai swords


This Samurai Sword may be currently reproduced. It is becoming more difficult to be able to tell the fake ones from the real ones because the quality of the reproductions is improving. The collector must become familiarized with the construction style and materials employed in the manufacturing of this item. Attention to the details is critical in order to be able to determine the authenticity of the collectible.



If you have an interest is seeing other Japanese Samurai swords, you can do so by going to our Japanese Samurai Swords Price Guide identification guide. Where we cover Samurai swords from all periods.





PRICING GUIDE INFORMATION

The value for the Samurai sword and other military antiques and collectibles is provided as a means to educate the collector community and individuals who have a general interest on the field. The following is an estimated value. Prices may vary in every state and every country. This service is provided courtesy of MilitaryItems.com. The source for military antiques and collectibles in the web.

Year 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Value $400.00 $450.00 $500.00 $525.00 $550.00 $575.00 $575.00
Availability Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare
Invest Grade B B B B A A A


While the item featured here is not for sale, similar items like it are available for purchase in our website MilitaryItems.com


 
� 1997 - 2022 MilitaryItems.com - All rights reserved.