European Made Japanese Military Swords of the Meiji Era

Author: MCM from USA (Charter Member ISCA)

In 1868 Japan started a modernization program intended to bring Japan into the modern age. Prior to 1868 Japan had been isolationist and had fallen far behind the other world powers in technology development, in particular military development. As part of this modernization program, the government forbade the wearing of the traditional katana swords by the samurai class, and began to change the swords of the military from the traditional samurai styles to European inspired styles. Early in this process, around 1872, Japan began to order swords of standardized patterns from Europe, and/or to manufacture these patterns in Japan. There is some evidence that Japan ordered sword blades from Europe and mounted them in Japanese made hilts and scabbards.

Gregory Fuller in his book "Japanese Military and Civil Swords and Dirks" shows drawings of some of these early European patterns. His information is derived from a Japanese book titled "Nippon no Gunso" by Yohsihiko Sasama. The patterns noted in Fullers book are as follows:

Fullers Nomenclature:

In Jim Dawsons book "Swords of Imperial Japan" he writes about two of these European produced or inspired Japanese swords.

Dawson Nomenclature:

The ISCA would like to document more fully the patterns and the markings of these swords. If you have any sword of this type please send us a description and some pictures. Please review the mentioned reference books ("Japanese Military and Civil Swords and Dirks" by Gregory Fuller, "Swords of Imperial Japan" by Jim Dawson) and the information below. This will help you in defining if a sword that you have could be one of these patterns. Take particular care to review the arsenal markings on the photos below. They are different than those shown in Dawsons book, but are undoubtedly Japanese in nature. Any information about these markings is appreciated.

Possible Dawson Type 8

This sword has never been pictured in English language reference books to date. The images below came from a recent arms auction and I believe that this sword is an example of Dawsons Type 8 sword. It has a three branch guard as described in Dawsons book.

Same profile as US 1860 Lt. Cav., note the one ring scabbard.

Characteristic three branch hilt with leather grip, brass wire wrap, and "phrygian cap" pommel.

It is clearly marked "M. H. & Co. 1872" on the ricasso and has three Japanese arsenal marks and a number on the opposite side of the ricasso. The maker has not yet been associated with any American or European manufacturer. Two of the arsenal marks are similar to the marks found on the Type 8 NCOs and Soldiers Riding Sword documented below. The date on the blade matches the period of time when these swords would have been ordered by Japan. The only significant difference from the drawing in Dawsons book is the lack of a backstrap with "ears".

It is unknown if this maker is U.S. or European. The arsenal marks are the similar to those on the Dawson Type 8 Riding Sword.

Here is a closeup of the arsenal marks, a Chrysanthemum mark is conspicuous.

The English language marking of the blade indicates that the blade was manufactured outside of Japan, probably in Europe or America. It is unknown if the rest of the sword was made in Japan or elsewhere. The dimensions of the blade seem to be more of a Japanese style in length and width as opposed to the US or French styles which were longer and slightly narrower in width. The blade seems a bit stouter and "meaty" which is more in keeping with the style of Japanese fighting swords. This stoutness of blade is seen in the later Japanese cavalry sword blades.

Fullers Pattern 1873 and 1877, Dawson Type 8 NCOs and Soldiers Riding Sword

This sword is identical to the Prussian Model 1852 / 1867 cavalry sword. It is 38 1/2 inches overall with blade length of 33 inches. The blade is 1 1/8 inches wide at the hilt. The scabbard is made of steel.

The hilt is steel, with a leather grip and two parallel separate strands of twisted steel wire as a wrapping.

Clemen & Jung is a classic Solingen maker of the late 1800's. The other marks are clearly Japanese arsenal marks. Note the Chrysanthemum mark.

The blade is clearly marked "Clemen & Jung Solingen" on the ricasso, and has three Japanese arsenal marks and a number on the other side of the ricasso.

The arsenal marks consist of a number, a Chrysanthemum stamp, and two other stamps in circles. One stamp has what looks like a Japanese character in the center.

The blade is European made and possibly the entire sword could have been manufactured there as well. The grip is leather and this type of grip covering has never been used on any European style Japanese military sword made by the Japanese. Note that the custom Type 8 riding sword shown by Dawson has a shagreen or rayskin grip covering.

Japanese Made Swords With European Blades

There have been three patterns of Meiji period Japanese swords that apparently have had European blades mounted in what seem to be Japanese made hilts. Using Fullers nomenclature, these swords are:

c.1886 Pattern Cavalry Officers Parade Saber

This pattern sword is the standard Japanese Pattern Officers cavalry produced in Japan with the exception that the blade is neither a hand forged blade (seen in Kyu-Gunto versions) or the usual poor quality plated parade saber blade, instead it is a Solingen made blade by the maker E. F. Horster. This firm produced sword blades in the town of Solingen Germany in the late 1800's and early 1900's. This sword is the only example of this type that is known to have a European mounted blade. It might have been a single item custom made for a Japanese officer visiting Europe. However, if other similarly mounted blades are seen, then one might surmise that these were a group of swords ordered by the government.

This is the officers pattern which is in itself rare. Note the slanted marking over the plated blade.

c.1875 / 1886 Army Officers Parade Saber

There is no photo example of this sword available. The author encountered a Japanese Parade Saber with a European made blade several years ago. The blade the had a "knights helmet" stamping on the ricasso. This marking was used by the German sword and blade manufacturers operating in the late 1800's. The blade was good quality steel (not a plated blade), but very narrow. The dimensions of the blade were similar to those seen on the Japanese produced plated parade saber blades.

c.1899 Pattern Cavalry Troopers Sword

There is no photo example of this sword available. The author encountered a Japanese 1899 pattern cavalry troopers saber with a European blade in an online auction. This sword had a Solingen marked blade but no other information is available. It would be unlikely that a cavalry troopers sword would have been a private purchase in Europe so it is assumed that these blades were ordered from Europe and mounted in Japan.

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The Internet Sword Collectors Association

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