dwmc

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...

Agree with Ken ( post # 2), severe impact causing micro-shinae (fracturing). Impact could have been caused as John mentioned by shrapnel as smaller impact can be seen at lower right of photo also causing shinae. Micro-shinae normally invisible to the eye may have become visible due to rust.

Adam, Sorry to hear about the Petaluma military museum. Looks as though they have quite an extensive collection including Japanese swords. However, your still in a great area for Japanese sword information and study. Clubs, collectors, SF sword show, etc... I would estimate value at near $1500...

Hello Adam, I agree with Geraint and suggest you do a bit of research as to family origin. It could be very interesting indeed. The Military Antiques and Museum in Petaluma may be a good place nearby to gather more information and they have a collection of Japanese swords on display. Might be worth a short drive to visit!

Hi Jeremy, Reproduction Type 95 makers have become very clever. Bruce has pointed out some areas which are cause for concern as to authenticity. If possible, as Bruce suggested, I would hold off purchase until (hopefully) others offer an opinion, particularly Shamsy.

That second kanji does look like it could also be a five. But as Stephen mentioned, still somewhat of a blur.

Bruce, I think this is a case where taking the zoom lower than higher is best. When I set the zoom to 50% and look at it with a magnifying glass. I believe I'm seeing 314.

Just a bit of levity, nothing wrong with a post getting a little off track occasionally. Back to reality! My father was with the 11th Airborne Honor Guard for General MacArthur during his stay at the Grand Hotel in Yokohama, 1945. After his guard duty ended in Yokohama, he was involved with weapons collection duty from Honshu to Northern Hokkaido. What does this have to do with the Honjo Masamune, nothing really, it simply makes me think about what may have actually happened at the Mejiro police station after Tokugawa Iemasa dropped off his family swords including the Honjo. I'm sure it's been suggested many times before, but can we honestly believe that no matter how disciplined the Mejiro police officers were would not recognize the Honjo Masamune as well as the other Iemasa swords for what they were!!! Furthermore, would they really hand over the Iemasa's swords to a young American Army Sergeant. The police may have surrendered some of the lesser sword in possession of the station, but there is in no way those swords ever went beyond the Mejiro police station. In my mind there needs to be no further investigation as to the where abouts of the infamous Honjo Masamune beyond the officers at the Mejiro police station. Only my opinion of course, will I continue to look closely at bring home's I find, well yeah...

I personally prefer the photo in Guido's post #125 myself. If I had ever had a chance with a woman like that, it surely would have been the end of my story....

Grey, Books could eventually show up here! https://www.ajc.com/news/post-office-moving-atlanta-unclaimed-mail-auction-online/niHOiTayT5O4TdGPJv1czN/