dwmc

Chris, I don't know if this will contribute to your research, but these are a few photos of my Seki showato. It is a Hantanto gunto signed, and with Seki stamp. Dave M.

Oddly, the guy has good feed back, has what appears to be many legitimate items listed, yet for some bizarre reason insists on quite frequently listing something which is definitely fraudulent, yet when warned by a board members or other wise, and rather heed the advice, prefers to continue on with the deception....Crazy!!! Dave M.

It's all good, any one of the terms you mentioned most people will recognize and will surely continue indefinitely...

No better place to start using a proper term than here on the NMB ( Rinji Seishiki ) !

File marks appear undisturbed. Agree with Hamfish...some sort of chemical application/cleaning. Dave M.

These are a few of the military items I have collected through the years. I've also decided I can't hold on to things forever. To my wife's absolute joy, I've decided to move a few pieces along to other's whom may enjoy them. Of course, there are many items, family WWII bring backs, swords etc, I have designated to friends and family... If there is anything you see, and are interested in, PM me. This isn't intended as a sales pitch, I simply would like offer board members a good deal should you like... Dave M.

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