If anyone here has the knowledge to help me make sure this is an authentic WW2 era JAPANESE (not chinese) sword, then I would greatly appreciate it. I realize its not a military issue weapon, but I'm curious to see if its actually older than 50-60 years. The link is to an ebay auction that will not start until the 13th of October.
Thank you very much.
http://cgi.liveauctions.ebay.com/5086-WWII-CAPTURED-JAPANESE-KATANA-SWORD_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ28268QQihZ014QQitemZ330171784067QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW#la-image-1
It looks to me like a modern Chinese fake. Take a look at the point: in genuine swords it's rounded, to allow it to cut; Japanese swords were intended for use as sabres, by horsemen, with curved edges to give them cutting "traction". The points would have been curved as well. This sort of straight-edged point would have been totally impractical. Also note the lack of fine file-marks on the tang, the genuine article always has the surface prepared by hand filing rather than stamped by machine with a few very nominal rasp-marks. It has many other problems as well (the designs on the scabbard, the lack of small spacers and other mounting gear; the appearance of the surface of the blade, etc.). This one shows all the indications of a cheap Chinese fake, so its value is much less than what it would cost to ship.
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