LeeVanSpleef

Thanks for the input. I have a friend that goes to Switzerland to comb the flea markets 3-4 times a year and he gets his antique stuff to the states with little effort. Not sure how he does it but I do know he is well connected. I will be putting this up for sale as is probably on GunBroker or if there is a better site for something like this let me know. I really don't like working with eBay since they banned firearms. I will be asking fair market value and nothing more. Because really, that is all it is currently worth, now isn't it? I went to my first Token Kai show last year in Tampa and was amazed by the sharks there. I was walking around with a Kanemoto signed Wakazishi and I am sure I looked like fresh meat to most of them. I know how that goes because I have been doing gun shows for years now. I did meet a couple nice people, one being a nice Asian man from Seattle who gave me his card and gave me an honest opinion of the blade. This has really been a great site and very helpful tool for my business and I will be back that is for sure. I got the link off pouring through the good Dr R. Stein's wonderful site. -E.V. Sandberg

Naples .... Not reallly a collector, more of a gun dealer specializing in antique arms. But certainly would like to get together sometime. You've probably seen me at a show or I've probably talked to you, been in business since 1993, and we are just changing our name from Century Arms of Naples to Centennial Arms at or around the first of the year. (Conflict with Century Intl). Feel free to browse if you want or shoot me an email. centennialarms.com Hope it was ok to put my website on here.... E.V.Sandberg

Ok...now what? Do I get it papered? If so how? I live south of Tampa I can make it to the Token Kai show in Feb. Do they do that there? Thanks again for the translation, I will donate to the site. -E.V. Sandberg

More .. I also have pictures of the military fittings, all marked "45"

Ok it is NOT related to the Yasukuni school? Blade has old oil and some "handling"? marks. I tried to get pictures that would illustrate that need for a professional cleaning.

WOW! You are super fast and amazing! Thanks a lot man! Yeah let me snap some and I'll post them for you. PS I am so proud of myself I got the school right. You have no idea how long it took me to get that.

Thanks in advance for any assistance. I own a little gun shop and just took this in from the grandson who brought this home with him from the war. I have spent the past two days trying my own hand at it, and this is what I've come up with - Yuki Masa Yasu Kuni Saku Kore. Of course, I could be way off but I am pretty sure this came from the YasuKuni Shrine. The right side (first picture) I believe to be the date, and the right hand inscription on the left side (second picture) I believe either to be a patriotic message or the person who polished the blade. My brain went a little haywire after getting as far as I did so I thought if there is anyone out there who could take over I would appreciate it. I will be putting this up for sale when I get a solid identification on this, so yes there is some commercial interest in this. Once again thanks! -E.V. Sandberg