1 very fine Japanese Samurai Tanto sword with thick armor-piercing blade.  This sword was carried by true Samurai.  This ca.1863 Samurai tanto would make an important addition to any collection.    

This antique Samurai tanto is signed on the nakago/tang:  'Masamune 20th Generation Soshu Tsunehiro'.   Tsunehiro of Soshu wrote of his familial connection to the master Masamune on the nakago.  I guarantee the signature.  The reverse side of the nakago is dated 1863.

This sword has a deep 4" turnback in the boshi.  

The blade measures 11 7/8" (30.2 cm) from blade tip to notch in the blade spine.  The value of this sword is in the blade.  This sword is in such great polish, that the blade can justifiably be put straight into shirasaya with no need for polish.  The mounts are ok, so while the mounts make a nice little package, they shouldn't be overstated.  The fuchi/kashira have a floral pattern, the tsuba is iron, and the menuki are WW2 Army--so this sword was carried during World War 2 as well.  

This sword is especially thick at the mune measuring a full 3/8" (1 cm) thick. 

The blade is in exceptional condition.  The blade is in original Japanese polish--no polish is needed.  There are no nicks, and there is no rust or pitting of any kind.  The mouth of the saya is missing a piece of wood.  The handle, tsuba, habaki, etc. are in perfect condition.  

The temper line/hamon and boshi are perfectly healthy.  There are no openings of any kind.