dwmc

I obviously can't speak conclusively for what may have happened to other collections brought home after WWII. However, I can say what occurred with my Fathers collection (An 11th Airborne Sgt). He brought home several swords and bayonets, some of which I never saw, but according to my Mother he gave some away as gifts to friends and other family members. Those of which he kept eventually ended up in the possession of my brothers and myself. I suppose it is possible some of the collections mentioned in Mr. Brooks post could still be intact, but suspect they most likely have gone the way of my Fathers, disseminated amongst friends and family through the years... Dave M.

Through the years, I passed on at least a dozen reasonably priced Type 95's. Feeling (somewhat arrogantly) they were simply an imposter of the 98's. However, like Mark Twain, I have never been able to realize an good opportunity until it cease to be one... Dave M.

Agree, Bruce. Either way you add the numbers, surprising amount of contingency swords. All I can say about the possible number of (Bring Backs) is to consider the number of allied troops in the Pacific Theater and occupied Japan. Not all brought home swords of course, but my father managed to bring home five. Considering the possibility of troops bringing several as opposed to just one could change the numbers substantially. John, I agree with your theory also. The only sword I've ever sold out of my collection was a standard type 3. Even though the very high quality type 3's can be quite nice. I feel the most people would probably pick the higher end 94 or 98's given the choice... Dave M.

In approximately the past three months on Ebay under the category of Shin Gunto in completed listings. 1. 66 type 98 ( 100% ) 2. 15 type 3 ( 22% ) 3. 11 NCO ( 16% ) 4. 12 Kai-Gunto ( 18% ) Percentages based in comparison to 66 type 98's. These percentages are obviously not conclusive to overall numbers of Japanese bring backs, but thought it was rather interesting. Dave M.

There can never be to many pictures from the San Francisco sword show. (At least in my opinion) Thought I would add a few from previous years, mainly for those who have never had the opportunity to attend.

I remember the 60's -70's shotgun news.What I recall most though is visiting pawn shops ( primarily looking at musical instruments) and seeing racks of 15 or 20 + Japanese swords for what I remember for $40 or $50 (negotiable USD). Hardly see a Japanese sword in a Pawn Shop these days. As fun as these memories are, its worth as others have mentioned , $50 was as much as 10 to 15% of a fairly decent monthly wage back then. I was once told interesting story by an acquaintance whom collected knives. He mentioned to me he knew an individual who's father had purchased every Japanese sword he came across through the late1940's, 50's and 60's. The story was, he had as many or more than 150 swords in his basement.(Was I interested, of course). The individual told me it was really many more than 150 swords, but without actually seeing them, the claim seemed to strain credulity. Well, eventually I met the person in possession of the swords, he had at least 10 swords on display, several Shingunto and swords in Buke Zukuri mounts. When I casually mentioned, I had heard he had many others, he said yes , he had a few, but was unwilling to let anyone see them. I got the sense he was a bit suspicious peoples motives and intentions, including mine... I attempted to convince him, as he suspected, many of them could be quite valuable both historically and financially. However, the swords require proper maintenance as well as being examined by a Japanese sword expert. I met with him a few times attempting to gain his trust as I was simply a sword enthusiast and even though far from a sword expert could at the very least point him in the direction of trustworthy people. The guy I could tell was not an Japanese sword enthusiast, his only interest appeared to be the potential value of the collection toward his retirement. (Which is fine) Shortly after my last meeting with him, I moved from the area. However, I return occasionally and will re-contact the gentleman. Hopefully he may be ready to move forward with his collection and willing to accept advice on how to do so. As I mentioned, I never saw the actual bulk of the supposed collection, but I did get the sense it was there. If it is, and the gentleman is ready, this could be very interesting indeed... Dave M.

All of the above is excellent advice...After looking closely at the kubuto gane, I think it is actually the original, only the the sarute barrel is missing and it has been pushed lower on the tsuka. It appears the ito is a bit "bunched" near the top as a result. Having said this, the tsuka is fairly decent war time era, age appropriate staining , etc. However, as you know, not the tsuka which fits your sword. My advice would be, as you are in Florida is to visit either the Tampa or Orlando Japanese sword shows with sword in hand. Normally there are folks with a variety of gunto parts which may fit your sword fairly closely. Possibly even a trade for your present tsuka for a better fitting one. Ordering online, hoping for accurate measurements can be disappointing and costly. No better way than sword in hand at a sword show... Your lucky to be within a few miles of two shows. Dave M.

I've attended dozens of gun shows and several sword shows through the years. I will openly admit, my interest in Japanese swords greatly exceeds my knowledge of such. However, I certainly do not apologize for my lack of superior knowledge due to the fact, the more I study the subject, it seems only to reinforce my feeling of inadequacy due to the complexity of the subject. Several years ago a gentleman at a gun show had Japanese swords for sale. I noticed one of them was in Shin Gunto mountings, but what appeared to be a very scaled down (light) version of Gunto. The blade its self did not appear to be modern, possibly Edo or older. The fittings were exact Gunto, but were obviously custom made for this particular sword. As often is the case when I come across a sword like this, the sellers are as much at a loss for explanation as I am. He was not asking a tremendous amount for the sword, but due to the fact I had never seen a Gunto such as this, nor since, I didn't purchase it. Just curious as if anyone has knowledge of light weight swords in Shin Gunto mountings? Dave M.

Check the "Brown and Yellow Tassel" post in Military Swords section Dec. 13 2018. Dave M.

Maybe closer to your figure Bruce,,,I was simply going by a online equivalency calculator. Either way $75 or $100 was a fair amount of money back in those days. Dave M.

I recall seeing NCO's in the mid 1970's for $75 to $100 on a fairly regular basis here in the US. That would translate to approx. $360 to $480 today. Dave M.

Excellent...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/HTF-WW2-Japanese-Sword-Late-War-Type-44-Tsuba-and-Seppa-set-Locking/372641509588?hash=item56c32a30d4:g:~GcAAOSwl2xcoMTO:sc:USPSPriorityMailPaddedFlatRateEnvelope!83634!US!-1 This Tsuba could possibly be what your looking for. Not sure how standard Type 44 fittings are. Ask for precise measurements. Good luck, Dave M.

Appears to also have very light struck Gi and Seki Stamps??

I agree Nick...$2600 + roll of the dice. Not even a peek at nakago? Blade suddenly found to be bent "after" close of auction. Let it go... Still hope the sword shows up on the board sometime though... Dave M.

Geez, they only mention the bent blade until after the auction ended....

Appears to be an Shinshinto era sword fitted in Shingunto mountings. O-kissaki, futastu hi with with rather elegant horimono on one side. Even with the light sanding, the blade appears to be good condition. Would love to see nakago and if it is signed. I would definitely bid up to the $1000 +- range... Good Luck, Dave

Another example of the plain economy version Dave R. mentioned, yet I really haven't seen every many of this style shingunto tsuka...late war perhaps??

This is the type of story that in my opinion is worthy of a much wider audience. The type which airs on the History or AHC channels. A story such as this is what brings many people who have never had interest in Nihonto to become potential enthusiast. George's outstanding military family history, sword captured in Pacific Theater, remains mostly neglected for 70+ years, eventually brought to the attention of the NMB, alert members point out potential of being a significant find, Ted and Darcy hand deliver sword to Japanese experts for preliminary authentication, then on to polish and official Shinsa , potential of being historical find...Great story, very interesting indeed!!! Dave

My Father, not yet ten years home from occupied Japan (1950's), took me to a storage room near the back part of our home. It was a small room and the early morning sun light was streaming through a partially open curtain. ( I was probably four or five years old ). He reached into a closet and brought out three swords and a bayonet. (WWll bringbacks). The bayonet I now know was a late war talw. The first sword I believe was a parade saber, however, it had white same' and unbelievably, a pristine Generals officers tassel attached. How or why the Generals tassel, I haven't a clue. Initially, I kind of preferred the saber because it looked a bit like an American civil war era sword. The second was what I considered a bit plain, rather short, in a wooden sheath. Later papered as Shinshinto Jumyo. The third was what struck me as spectacular, as my Father removed the sword from the saya, the sun light danced up and down the blade as upon shimmering crystal clear water. What type of magical instrument was this...Gendaito in Shingunto mounts. I've had an interested in Nihonto ever since that day. I've only now have had the time to "attempt" to educate myself further in the subject only to realize how incredibly complex it is... I still stop at almost every small pawn shop in my travels to see if they possibly have a Japanese sword, but it's rare now. I recall in the late 1950's and through the 1960's, many, many Pawn shops with Japanese swords lined up ten or fifteen in a row for $30-40 each....

Thanks Jeremiah, I'm not entirely sure we can rule out Ishido school Sukekuni. My sword will eventually need to go to shinsa for a more definitive evaluation.The sword is in just enough polish to see a narrow Gunome hamon, Ko-maru boshi, and an extremely tight Hada, possibly Ko-Itame, practically Muji. Honestly though, I'm a bit afraid the sword would be bumped out of Shinsa due to lack of adequate polish. I've found quite a range of differences in what I consider potential Kanun Sukekuni mei's. The one Steve M. posted, those more like my sword, and the one I posted in the sword catalog. The thing that struck me most in similarity between my sword and the catalog/book mei is the "Kuni" kanji character. I notice on the vertical (mune side) stroke and the bottom horizontal stroke, the horizontal stroke ends above the vertical stroke. I feel this has to be more than mere coincidence. The Shinto Sukekuni signatures which are more similar to my sword all seem to vary some what. They seem to be a bit more "clumsy" as Bazza mentioned. It seems odd a smiths signature could have this many slight variations. I am unable to read the catalog/book photo I posted beyond the Sukekuni attribution and (I think) I'm also seeing Enpo 2nd year 8th month ? I'm in to deep to give up now. I'll press on and take the sword to the next step...Will post what I find for any one who may be interested. Best Regards, Dave M.

Thank you both Steve and Bazza, Steve's photo's of the authenticated Ishido Sukekuni mei is precisely what has led me to believe my sword was not the Shinto Kanbun Sukekuni. Even I can easy see the lack of simularitly between signatures. Then, I find the Sukekuni mei in the book photo I posted (at least to my eye) actually very similar. Also, in Markus Sesko's Nihon-Shinto-She book (page #103) there is an example of the Ishido Sukekuni smith's mei which appears quite similar to my sword and also the example in the catalog picture I posted. The Sukekuni sword in Markus's book is very similar in sugata, nakago and yasurime to my sword (photo's in post #6). Bazza, the signature on my sword looks clumsy to me also. The sword has been in the hands of one of most respected Togishi in the San Francisco Bay area. I had an opportunity to talk with him for 1/2 hour or so. He didn't indicated it was possibly gimei or other wise. However, he did mention it may be worthy of polish but would require further study. I am very fortunate to have an excellent Togishi within a few hours of my present location and have been meaning contact him. I definitely shall in the near future.. Again, Thank you both for your input ! Dave M.

Hello NMB members, This is a request I posted back in 2016 inquiring potential information regarding my sword with "Minamoto Sukekuni mei". I had studied the mei for quite some time before posting on the NMB, and was fairly confident it was not Shinto Ishido school Sukekuni due to the differences in signature I had located at that time. Both Stephan (Oyabun) and Jeremiah (Vermithrax16) were both kind enough to respond with the opinion that it was in fact possibly Shinto Kanbun Sukekuni. Although I sincerely wanted to believe it was the Shinto smith as mentioned, Mei's simply didn't match up adequately. Over three years have past, and I have still been searching for something that could possibly be conclusive evidence of which Sukekuni smith my sword could be.. According to Markus Sesko's Swordsmiths A-Z there are a Sukekuni's in in 1800's Shinshinto era but no Mei's I could locate for comparison. I've faced many challenges through the years and I must admit becoming involved and interested in nihonto has been one of the most difficult. It is one of the most perplexing, confusing subjects I have ever encountered. I've become comfortable in the realization I simply lack the intellect to gain even a reasonable understanding of the subject. However, I still try to learn what I can and sincerely appreciate the NMB members and your information... At long last, and for what reason I can't even begin to imagine, a Mei has shown up that I can reasonably conclude as Ishido school Sukekuni. I believe the signatures are actually close enough to be a match. Thanks Again to Steven and Jeremiah, Lower right Sukekuni, Dave M'

All good advice from members...Also, I see your from Winter Park, approx. 80 miles from Tampa. Japanese sword show is at end of Feb. Might be worth a drive over, I'm sure sword show participants/venders can adjust your sword fittings just the way you would like them. Proper length Chuso, seppa, what ever may be required. I'm sure you would find trip very interesting and worthwhile. https://www.southeastshowsauctions.com/tampa-2019.html

Manny, Measure precisely and purchase Chuso (locking pen) which locks properly when additional seppa is added. Exact measurement is extremely important before purchasing...