Anyone know anything about samurai swords?

[djm of PA]

Made a heck of a discovery in a friend's shed yesterday and even better is the fact that he told me "I don't want weapons here, please get them out of here!" This cache was noticed while working high in the rafters...we could see what looked like a gun barrel behind a wall. Turned out to be two guns, and 3 blades! Hidden in a little 1'X2' square. This house dates back to the 1700's and has yielded a few decent finds for me already with the metal detector, but I never would have imagined this!

I ended up with 2 samurai swords, a bayonet, a remington model 760 30-06 and a Savage .22lr over .410! As you can see, the bayonet is in great shape, but the rest of the items are rough and/or rusty.
Guns are my thing, so I already know all i need to about those and how to make them pretty again!
The bayonet is a WWII Japanese made piece.
Samurai swords I don't know so any info/pricing would be greatly appreciated! Both handles are either gone or broken, but blades are nice and sound!

 

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[nuggy]

Wow, what a find!!! those swords are fantastic, just shows what can be out there. I saw a show on people collecting just the decorated hand guards from these swords - most were worth hundreds some thousands - and they said the complete genuine items were worth a lot more. One of your swords looks like a high class item, the other more a military type.

If the leather wrapping is undone - preferably by an expert - there can be a slip of rice paper under the wood, writing on his can trace the sword to the samurai family that once owned it. These families are the ones that apparently will pay bigggg for them. Japanese embassy may be able to help with this or point you to the right person. Should be able to get their email addy, include a photo or two and ask them to point you to the best people. Just my opinion and what I would do.

Nuggy

 

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[Digger54]

If the leather wrapping is undone - preferably by an expert - there can be a slip of rice paper under the wood, writing on his can trace the sword to the samurai family that once owned it. These families are the ones that apparently will pay bigggg for them. Japanese embassy may be able to help with this or point you to the right person.
Nuggy

Very good point made by Nuggy as another reason not to let go of the swords too soon.

 

[Bum Luck]

If the leather wrapping is undone - preferably by an expert - there can be a slip of rice paper under the wood, writing on his can trace the sword to the samurai family that once owned it. These families are the ones that apparently will pay bigggg for them. Japanese embassy may be able to help with this or point you to the right person.
Nuggy

Very good point made by Nuggy as another reason not to let go of the swords too soon.

I agree. Most swords are repros, but these look genuine and could be worth big bucks.

The guns - well, at least you didn't buy them. Have a burger or two.

 

[djm of PA]

texastee......you're reading my mind. if there is indeed a paper in there, you can bet I will be using every resource available to find the family and return it!

 

[NOLA_Ken]

http://www.vosizneias.com/68557/201...et-returns-wwii-artifacts-to-rightful-owners/

Apparently there has been a large movement to return traceable items back to the families, I can't find the original article which went into more detail, but I did find this one.

 

[mikeofaustin]

Don't do anything to your swords until you have them looked at. The experts will remove the handles to look for markings on the "Tangs" If they are authentic which they appear, they could be extremely valuable depending on their markings and origin. Attempting to clean them could devalue them. Cleaning/sharpeneing should also be left up to the experts as there are specific procedures for that.
Congratulations on the finds.

Exactly!!! On the inside of the handle (the tangs), if they are 'authentic', they will have marking on them like who the maker was, and how the sword was tested (they usually test swords on convicts, and it will tell you how the chop on the person was made).

 

[nuggy]

Many of these ancient samurai families have inherited wealth and influence - industrialists in many cases. You will be looking at probably at least one or two hundred extended family members,with massive holdings. The way they look at things - from my time in the east - is very different to western culture - values. The prestige of owning an old family sword would be accorded only to the most wealthy, if it was given, or acquired cheaply it might be held as of little worth, or the finder a person of no consequence - to be so easily parted from this treasure. Asians often feel it is correct to accept the luck you have been given and enjoy it celebrating your good fortune, and elevating the circumstances of your family
The men who brought these back from overseas gave of their blood to capture them. I feel the correct amount of the swords worth, is an honorable price to ask and to pay. Negotiations should take a long time and be savored - enjoyed, by both parties. Maybe not exactly how they will look upon it, but somewhat.
All the best with it - Nuggy