dwmc

I agree with Robert S. (Surfson) as the sword being Kanbun era. This is one of my swords which is very similar, not only in a extremely shallow sori, but notice the saya has a swirl pattern also. Even though the saya appears to have more curvature as in Steve's friends sword, mine and I suspect his fit quite nicely. Dave M.

Yes, Good vibes and Best Wishes by all means...Get well soon!! Dave M.

Bruce, I somehow missed your original post back Dec. 2019. However, after reading it today, I realized one of my sword may be similar to the type you were requesting to see. I believe there must have been somewhat of a transition period after the March 1945 directive regarding the Kai-gunto. The swords I own attempts to follow the mandate in the sense it has plain unadorned Kubuto-gane and Ishizuke. The fuchi, koiguchi, ashi and semegane all have sakura blossoms, yet are intentionally painted black, I suspect in order to comply with the directive. Also, one hanger has been eliminated, as well as both rising sun seppa. Some of the black paint on the fuchi is missing due to handling. Dave M.

100 % real...Both sword and tassel ! Dave M.

Colin, I think the estimates suggested above are very accurate. I would say $1000 total. $800 for the sword $200 for the Hinomaru flag, correspondence, and photos. I have enjoyed collecting militaria for many years and would suggest, should you decide to make the trade, doing something as I've done, with the flag, photos, etc. in the lower right hand corner of my display in an antique mall, it would look great and tie it all together. However, always have to agree with PNSSHOGUN, I prefer seeing items showing definite family history remaining within the family. Happy collecting, Dave M.

My apologies Bruce, I just thought you were kidding me about the huge flat head screw that Bubba Maximus placed in you nice Rinji. Were the threaded Rinji's mainly because the tsuka were not the two mekugi ana type?? Ohh, also, the last known snipe in Idaho was taken in 1953 by Oliver Thurdgaster. By 1953 the snipe had become sooo rare, they were only allowed to be taken by sling shot using a large flat head screw affixed to a square nut... Ok...I'll stop.. As always, your contributions to the NMB are very much appreciated! Dave M.

Hey Bruce...when exactly is snipe season in Colorado...maybe I can join you for a hunt one day!! Dave M.

Thanks for the explanation Bruce, I didn't realize the Rinji was designed for the lower mekugi ana to use a threaded screw. I owned a Type 3 for several years which used wooden mekugi pegs, and am rather stunned I hadn't noticed lower threaded type before. Thanks again, Dave M.

Nice type 3/Rinji Bruce...But for Heavens sake, what previous owner put that huge flat head screw in for a mekugi peg tearing up a otherwise fairly decent war time ito wrap. Please take no offense, I'm sure it wasn't you... Dave M.

Probably close to what was used for Kenny's sword. No, please don't spend a lot of time searching files. Other examples of leather type retainers will likely show up in the future. Thanks, Dave M.

Dave R , I don't see there would be any other way for a leather retainer to work for Kenny's sword other than what you suggest. It's obvious the saya was modified for military use as the tsuba also has an opening for a chuso. It's possible I suspect, the leather retainer was the original plan, but was left as a simple compression fit, yet, who knows... Should you happen to have a picture in your files of a leather retainer that attaches to a kuri gata , I would love to see it ! Best regards, Dave M.

No Shinsa for this one...again!! Dave M.

Older mumei (unsigned) out of polish wakizashi blade, Ground sakura petals. However, a legitimate Kyu gunto and somewhat interesting. Perhaps $800 range. Bruce might have a better idea of value.. Dave M.

Hmmm, no file marks at all, not even a slight indication?? No file marks, no visible hamon could indicate a much older blade... Those more expert will hopefully respond ! Dave M.

Just a guess, but yasurime appears kiri, mekugi-ana looks punched, nakago patina perhaps shinshinto? Clearer photos would help greatly. Dave M.

Yes, very possible repurposed ! Dave M.

Ground down 10 petal sakura? Army ? Dave M.

Dave R, is the stamp perhaps a Chimata or Gifu as opposed to a " Showa"? Although a bit confusing being slightly tilted from normal position... Dave M.

I'm with the post war Japanese tourist trade faction. Definitely not a repurposed bayonet, even though marked with Nagoya stamp. (Possibly stamped in memory of better times). Fittings appear fairly decent, (We've all seen much worse). The ito wrap is seriously ugly. Not sure why some find the item so offensive. If it had a nice black same', decent silk ito with appropriate menuki professionally wrapped and crafted it would be something I wouldn't mind owning as a novelty. Merely an opinion, Fire away if inclined, Dave M.

The only proper use of the word "Pattern" I can see regarding this auction company is a "Pattern of deception". Dave M.

No Jean, I'm not really sure. I did a bit of research several years ago and Kyo sukashi was about as close as I could determine! By no means definite... Dave M.

Additional photo of Kyo tsuba and Samurai pointing at bird. I'm not qualified to judge the age of either, but suspect their the oldest I own. Also tried to capture a picture of silk thread... Dave M.

I'm not sure of the age of this mumei Kyo sukashi tsuba. It is somewhat interesting in the fact that at some point it was damaged. The damage its self is not of particular interest other than it appears at the time of impact, the larger sakura blossom broke open and reclosed like a steel trap. On closer inspection, I noticed the blossom had trapped a small piece of what looks to be silk cloth. Its a small piece of thread a bright iridescent green in color. If at some point I can get close up photo, I will post it. Dave M.

Perhaps this Kai gunto falls in the category of shorter than regular factory/arsenal blades. The longer Kai gunto has a nagasa of approx. 26 inches and is signed by Hiratoshi with a Toyokawa arsenal stamp. The shorter is also a Toyokawa arsenal sword and is approx. 21 inches signed by Kiyomichi. Dave M.

I agree with Steve! When I see a sword like the one shown by Trystan it exhibits to me "Island made/Occupied" characteristics. An attempt by Japanese, or local area metal smiths to reproduce a quasi type Shingunto with the limited materials they had available. I also suspect Island swords made by the Japanese (with at least enough formal training to produce a sword) would be the ones found with a better finished nakago, where as local area smiths would most likely see no logic in spending time making something hidden beneath a handle look nice. Dave M.