dnmmilo

For all of those who have asked to be updated, I have just been informed by the Australian Federal Police that they have no record of this or any similar weapon having been reported as stolen. I am most grateful to all of you who assisted.

Cheers Vajo, Good advice.

Cheers Steve, hopefully not about a stolen sword !! Anyway, I’ve just passed the name of the sword smith to the Senior Constable at ACT police who will conduct a database search.

G'day, I recently purchased this Shin Gunto at an auction and have been contacted by the auctioneer who tells me the 2 of the other 8 lots submitted for sale by the same person have turned out to be stolen. Having been the victim of theft myself I don't want to have anything in my collection that might be stolen. I haven't been able to translate the symbols on the haft so some assistance there would be helpful. I have spoken to the AFP and the local ACT Police and no weapons matching this description have been reported stolen over the last few years. If anybody thinks they recognise the sword or have any knowledge of it please contact me. Any advice on what else to do would be appreciated. I can send more pics if they are required. Cheers David

Cheers Mate, And good luck with that, I certainly wouldn't be giving up the day job on that promise.

Thanks Guys, It was certainly worth consulting the jury and the verdict is guilty as charged. You live and learn and I don't say this too often but thank god for Paypal !!. I'm hugely grateful to all of you for advice and assistance. Cheers David

G'day Guys, I've attached some more pictures and I'm still unsure. Let me know if you need photos of anything else. I'm really grateful to you all for your advice and assistance. Cheers David

Cheers Geraint, I'll do that first thing in the morning and post the photo's. Its 10:30 at night here and a bit too dark for decent pics. Its Muji Hada with a clear Sugu Hamon and what looks like a Yakizume Boshi. Cheers David

I'm sorry mate, I thought this was a discussion board, and as such I'm grateful to you for your opinion and for the fact that you took the time to respond. I respect your view and have taken it on board. As I said I've got a fair number of Showa era swords and this one feels and looks right to me, I've just not seen one with a similar nakago. I meant you no offence by responding that in my opinion it was fair dinkum, as I said, I thought, and still do, that this was a discussion and I want to get opinions from as many of its members, for who I have a great deal of respect, as possible. If I've inadvertently offended you by respondiing, I apologise. Cheers David

Cheers Guys, I've got a fair number of showa era gunto and the patina on this sword in my opinion isn't faked. The Tsuba and the rest of the furniture are genuine and fit the sword perfectly. I'm pretty sure its a genuine WW2 used sword, I just haven't seen one like it myself before.

G'day Mate's, I purchased this sword recently after being shown some really poor pictures and being a bit a novice when it comes to non-showa era blades I've got no idea what it is. Any info or advice would be really well recieved. Hopefully the photo's I've attached are good enough quality. The swords in WW2 era shin gunto mounts but I think the blade is older although as I've said I just don't know enough to be sure. Cheers David

Does anyone know anything about a Showa era smith named Kanemori, I can't seem to find anything definitive on him?

Cheers Grey, it's worth the effort to try though. When I do eventually get one right I'll be made up, fair dinkum.

Thanks Mate, I'm getting a bit closer every time. Have you got any idea what the other inscription says?

Thanks mate, do you reckon I've got the second one right

G'day Guy's, I've had a crack at translating this but I'm not sure if I've got it right. I've attached some pictures and using the Kanji pages in the research section the nearest I can get to is: 為 Tame 盈 Mitsu Trouble is I can't find a smith with the same name. I've attached some pictures of the original inscriptions and would greatly appreciate any help anyone can give me with both. Cheers David

Thanks Brian, Hamish. I'll try and get some clearer an more detailed pictures. Cheers David

G'day guys, Any chance of some assistance translating this tag. If I need to send additional photos just let me know. Many thanks David

G'day, Are there any other angles that I need to photograph this tag in to allow for translation. Grateful for any assistance. Cheers David

G'day Brian, The blade length to the edge of the habaki is 456mm. I've also added another photograph of the inscription on the tag in the hope that someone is able to read it. Cheers David

Cheers Brian, I'll measure it tomorrow and let you know. It would certainly be interesting to know what it says. David

G'day Guys, I've got a Wakizashi with a heavily stained linen tag with a handwritten inscription in Japanese written on it. I'd be really grateful if someone could translate it for me. I have also included some photo's of the sword. The fittings on the Tsuba are heavier than others I've held. Is it possible these are better quality than the sword? Cheers David

Thank you very much Morita San

Cheers John, many thanks for that mate. Are you able to translate the rest of the inscription?

G'day Guys, I've had a crack at this, and think it might be Kunimasa. I can see the showa stamp but would be like to know what the entire script says. Would the painted characters be numbers? Cheers David