Help identifying Japanese tsuka / sword handles

[David R]

[QUOTE=

By any chance, is there any way of narrowing down its age? Early, mid or late Edo? Or is it impossible to tell?[/QUOTE]

Before the Meiji, after which they were irrelevant with the end of the Han system and creation of a national army. Otherwise, Ghd knows, these have been found with Heian era blades in them, they just ran every piece of junk through the repair shop to make a usable weapon, and then stuck it in the arsenal. Here's one of mine assembled from whatever was in the bit-box back in the day. The kashira is from a handachi scabbard, the basic core is from a knackered Tanto, and the menuki a washer from an Edo period tobacco pouch!

[tool_of_a_took]

Originally Posted by David R

Before the Meiji, after which they were irrelevant with the end of the Han system and creation of a national army. Otherwise, Ghd knows, these have been found with Heian era blades in them, they just ran every piece of junk through the repair shop to make a usable weapon, and then stuck it in the arsenal. Here's one of mine assembled from whatever was in the bit-box back in the day. The kashira is from a handachi scabbard, the basic core is from a knackered Tanto, and the menuki a washer from an Edo period tobacco pouch!

Awesome, thanks for all the info! I have a penchant for weapons modified in period, so these are right up my alley