Post Independent Tradesman Pawn Shop Gun Store owner Edward Wilks demonstates the proper way to display and present a Samurai sword. Chelsea Self / Post Independent In Edward Wilks’ store sits an authentic Samurai sword used by a Japanese soldier who tried to behead a U.S. Marine. The sword, forged from Japanese steel circa 1941, has been in his Rifle pawn shop, Tradesmen Pawn Shop Gun Store, for more than a decade. But after 14 years of delicately curating the blade, Wilks is giving it back to the family of the Marine who defended himself during the Battle of Iwo Jima. A long tale precedes how and why Wilks has had the sword for so long.