Featured Need any info about this old KATANA style SWORD.

Greetings!
I am trying to research this katana sword that a friend of mine found in the shed after her husband passed away. He was a Vietnam vet, so perhaps he brought it back from overseas, but she said he never told her anything about it, so that is just a guess.
She asked me to sell it for her, so I would greatly appreciate any accurate information or even educated guesses from people who know much more than I do about swords.
The blade has no signature nor markings of any kind to indicate maker or origin. Might that suggest mass production for military use, or...? It does have a full edge.
It is fastened to a piece of PVC pipe filled with silicone adhesive. The PVC is wrapped with string for a grip. That does work well, but my guess is someone had a naked blade and added a makeshift grip. What do you think?
It does have a scabbard that fits it perfectly.
I will post a few pictures. I have and can take more, if you need to see anything better. As always, I appreciate the expertise shared on these forums. Thanx in advance!

 

It looks military, but this is not my area of expertise. It was stripped of the more valuable tsuba and other parts, probably to be sold.

Agree. It even looks good, but it is not how it is supposed to be.

@komokwa , @the blacksmith .

 

The tale of its origin, if any, is buried in silicone under the PVC pipe. Were it mine, all that would be carefully removed, in order to read what may be carved into the tang.
Even if there is nothing there, you'll have only lost a convenient grip...an' if there is a legend, you'll probably increase its potential value materially.
The scabbard itself will show important details...one of our edged-weapon experts will have more to say about that. Good Luck!

 

I'm seeing a WW2 officers sword....with average scabbard .

The handle does not lend value , and should be removed to see what marking could be underneath.

 

Removing the handle sounds like good advice- I was wondering whether there might be any markings on the tang.

 

I agree, and the appropriate parts are probably available, either original or reproduction. They wouldn't add to the value, but would at least enhance the appearance.

 

Yes- but I'll leave those decisions up to the next owner.

 

WWII Shin-Gunto officers katana. The shape of the Kissaki (point) and the suguha hamon (the thin straight hardened edge), seems to show that it probably was made in Seki, an important sword making area during the Second World War.
I too would carefully remove the grip, where you will probably find a makers name and a date on the other side. If you do, I can probably translate them for you.
The blade is in very good condition, and with these, condition is everything. SO, do not under any circumstances touch the blade with your bare hands, the slightest touch will cause the acid from your fingers to stain the blade and you will have a perfect acid etched finger print! These cannt be removed, except by a skilled polisher, and that costs hundreds and hundred of pounds!
Parts are available for these, and I can possibly give you some ideas of where to obtain genuine ones if you'd like. Ebay do sell the ocassionally, but there are also quite a few fakes on these too.
Nice piece, and well worth lookinf after!

 

Thank you for those details! I am not unfamiliar with the Seki name, as last year I purchased some Al Mar Seki folding knives from an estate. I kept one.
I will definitely remove the "grip" and post additional pictures.

 

......Carefully.... that puppy looks sharp !!

 

'Tis, indeed... Not to worry, Careful is my middle name.
The deed is done. Pics coming next!

 

Well, sir, I have done so, and I am excited to see what you can make of this!
Here are a couple PICS of the signature. (Nothing anywhere else on it.)

 

Do not do anything to the rust on the handle area!!!!

 

yippee....a good clear siggy..... on an original tang !!!

good , no matter who made it !!!

 

Well done ! As mentioned by Hollyblue, do not clean the rust off or clean it in any way. This is important.
As for the signature, oddly, it appears to me to read: 'Chikuzen (no) Kuni katsu Toshi'. Chikuzen is a province in the west of Japan. So the translation is , 'KatsuToshi, living in Chikuzen'. The inscription is what we call Tachi Mei, slightly unusual, as it is usually on the other side of the blade. Is there a date on the other side perhaps?
I am certainly no expert on these, though I did collect them for some years, but I do know people who are so I can ask for a second opinion for you, if you would like. The colour of the nakago (tang) suggests to me WW2 era.
Seki BTW, is famous area for sword and knife production, like Sheffield, Toledo or Solingen.
It looks like a nice blade.