Is this Japanese military?

[Alan62]

The reason I am thinking Japanese is the flowers on the Guard.
Any ideas

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/Alan62/cutlass003.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/Alan62/cutlass002.jpg

Thanks for any help

[Rivkin]

Looks like it, but it would really help the identification if we are to see the sword's guard from below.

This guy is quite unusual, because I think >95% of japanese sabres have chrisantem on the handle as well (there is a metal thingy that goes together with the wire wrap).

[Rich]

I don't think it's Japanese. The hilt style is wrong and the
blade style is wrong. Don't know what it is, but pretty sure
not Japanese. See my Japanese sword site and go to the
various military swords pages for examples of nearly all types
of Japanese military swords.

http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/nihonto.htm

or

http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/nihonto.htm

Rich S

[Alan62]

Thanks Guys

By the way great site Rich I have been there a few times and in fact it saved me from buying a really well done fake Officers sword.
So thank you for your efforts there.

These are the only other pics i have of this one maybe they will help ID it


http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/Alan62/cutlass006.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/Alan62/cutlass007.jpg


Thanks Again

[Valjhun]

It isn't japanese for sure, That flower is not the chrisantemum symbol. The hilt looks german in shape.... No such sword appears in the Fullers Military and Civilian Japanese Swords 1868 - 1945

Wow Rich! :eek: That site is yours? Gorgeus! I used it a lot by the time I was a novice collector (well, I'm still a novice collector, but I have now a lot of books about swords :p )

[Jens Nordlunde]

When I first saw the flowers (pic. 2), I thought it was Indian, but when I saw the last picture of the decoration, then I am not so sure. Could it be European?

[Rich]

Thanks guys, yes The Japanese Sword Index is my site.
Been building it for about 10 years with input and articles
from lots of folks. Glad you all find it useful; that's what
it's all about :-)

Rich

[Rivkin]

After Professor Rich it makes really not much sense for me to voice my opinion, but this guy is not japanese and the flower is not a chrisantem.

[Alan62]

Thanks guys
I just thought maybe that one flower looked kinda like a cherry blossom or something.
It maybe Prussian or ....who knows