mauser99

I will do a shoot on the type3 soon. I will do it before I attempt to take it apart. Lots of these seem to have screws not pegs and they do some damage when removed. I know a guy who sets up @ the Allentown PA show and may bring it again to him and he can help me do it with as little damage as possible. These are the photos when it was pulled out of the basement along with the two others. In the one photo you can see the paper used to mask off the burlap so when the wrap is treated it doesn't discolor it. We were thinking maybe the sword was never finished ?

ok, thanks all ! As far as I can see there are @ least 13 listed and who's to say there aren't more. If any its closest to example J. I'm new here so I really don't want to rock the boat so to speak. Japanese swords seem to be one of the few collector items where fakes were made during the period itself. Should I say fakes or copies ? I wasn't sure if this guy famous enough for his name to be copied by others. A very interesting topic for sure. I can only say the blade is very light and well balanced. Quality seems to be very good. I'm really only a Shin-gunto collector and Not a "high-end" Blade collector. I know many here are and are very knowledgeable on the subject. To me it's a bonus to buy on a budget and wind up getting a better blade than I bargained for. As far as my type3 in the back ground it was found along with another type98 that has the Nagamitsu blade in it I posted already In a basement in Ohio and was bought from the guy who did the clean out. I have showed it to a couple Sword guys and they feel its a Nice blade. The wrap has never been disturbed and there is paper packed in the wrapping to cover the burlap. I guess this was done when the coated the wrap to mask off the diamond shaped ?? It looks like rice paper. I will take some photos. I'm torn as what to do. I don't really want to disturb it. As so few things are un-touched now a days.

thanks, Steve . I guess the text doesn't lie. So it says Chounsai Emura Kore wo Kitaeru Is the that the name and Province ?

I have to agree that it doesn't match any of the examples listed on that web-site. I'm not 100% if this guy was famous enough to have his signature copied ? The blade to me is very good quality but, I'm just a novice.

I posted a really clear chalk filled photo to help with translation. There seems to be some discrepancy with this one..

ok, No more mentioning this myth. What about the clearer signature ?? Doesn't match any on the posted link. But, if he had many students there is a possibility of many variants. Similar to nagamitsu. Also having both I can say this blade is much lighter than the Nagamitsu I own. That blade has a thicker nose and more overall weight. This blade is as light as a feather.

here are some better photos with chalk added to highlight the kanji. Also showing the polish and harmon. My comment of the wartime Nagamitsu was based on what I was told as he was put in prison for killing his wife and made blades while incarcerated. Another myth ? Im sure it is..

I attached the pic's to the thread. So your point is ? It can handle a major strike ??? A major misconception of all late war stuff being Japanese or German is that they were unsafe or unfit for use. Any late war sword Ive seen is a far above the quality level of a uber last ditch arisaka or type94 pistol or German Volks weapon. The Sword being more of a symbol Of Japanese pride than the rifle.

I have seen a few of these posted here and there. For what its worth I would consider this a true combat sword. I think these would be overlooked as a dress sword . The late 1800's was a big change in Japan as we know. The European influence is clearly noted in all of Japans military. This one clearly showing a mix of east and west. I wouldn't hesitate buying this example in a New York minute. Congrats. Cant imagine having a leather combat cover in tact is a common thing ? Most ww2 covers barely survive. Question: Japan was noted as an Allie during WW! but, what was their role ??? I have never heard or seen any mention of Japan's contribution ? But, they are listed on the back of the U.S. WW1 victory metal. Just curious.

Thanks as always.. So this may be my second prison made blade. The other being the Nagamitsu I posted. Or was Nagamitsu put into prison and then made blades while there. I can caulk in the Kanji if this may help. Any idea why or what the serial # means ? The fittings aren't numbered on this example. So I doubt its an assembly number ?

I can't add to much technical content to the thread but, I just want to say I enjoyed reading the posts. Im a newbie here and with swords in general. The "type 3" discussion's are of major interest to me. I'm drawn to that type as they have a great old world look to them. I was lucky enough to find a real late example with what I feel is a really good blade. Plan on posting soon..

as always thank you all ahead of time.. As this is something we shouldn't take for granted. The chances of me learning Japanese is slim to none A very difficult tang to photo.. Kanji is small and tight. Dark as well. I can try the chalk trick if we cant get there.. Tang is single sided less a serial #. No arsenal stamp visible.

nagamitsu is a more desired maker. I cant blow up the photos though ? It looks like it might be slid into an NCO type scabbard ?

here are the rest.. Interesting that in only has one mount on the scabbard. It was found in a relatives house and she was looking for info on it.

here are some of the photos of the Naval gunto posted on a forum earlier this year. I was un-successful in buying it from her.

I saw a naval example posted by a young girl with that same mechanism on the scabbard. And it was legit. This one looks machinist made to me..Recently...... I will see if I can track down the photos of the Naval version I saw.

this is the rest of the sword I posted the tang in the translation section. Nagamitsu made blade. All fitting are matching #'s 27 I didn't bother taking a photo of each piece. Tsuba only. My larger question is where the blade isn't dated Im curious if more knowledgeable members than I may know. Is there a time frame when the switched from a smooth painted scabbard to the rough painted scabbard ?? I have also noticed color differences this one being brown. I have seen an almost orange color as well. This sword is a nice orig. sword showing some nice carry wear on the scabbard. Any responses or comments would be great. I posted a couple comparison shots of a smooth painted scabbard and the later I assume rough painted green scabbard.

price is the only thing that is subjective. If the item is authentic or not is the bigger issue. We can ask what we want for "our" stuff that doesn't mean someone will pay it. Auctions are where price sometimes gets fueled by ego's and competition and that effects the end result. There is none of that in a direct sale.

typical of other forums I belong to it's appropriate and accepted to post an item up for discussion before listing it for sale. Then post the link in the add. The opinion of the forum is important and is a critical level of professionalism that needs to be up-held. If an item is questionable a moderator should lock the tread and post his reasons for doing so. Just a thought.

As said, they are called surrender tags. I assume that's what they actually are and not another collector myth. Take some real good photos of the tag and post it in the translation section. As all member's may not look in this section. And the translation section is just for that purpose. I'm no help for sure.. Cant read a lick of it !

Hello, The fittings you found are the correct type for this one with wood scabbard and combat leather cover. As I'm sure you know. The hole is to feed the attaching strap to the leather cover. I have also owned one of these I sold that had a the standard type clip release with wooden scabbard. Very scarce variant. Some Tsuba are totally pierced through for decorative appeal I guess ? Most are solid. The fact that it doesn't or didn't fit would be normal as all this stuff was hand fitted and numbered as an assembly. Getting back together to make it as orig. as possible is the best you can do. Good luck ! looks like a nice sword. Also looks like it may have a Seki arsenal mark ??

I'm able to take a little time and study the text and images on that site.. The signature is closest to figure "P" Nagamitsu [ slightly different to "J" maybe a normal variant ] I'm assuming another un-known ? I guess we all have to settle at times that all things are not known about all these smiths. At least it seems to be a somewhat more desirable one.. Thanks again for all your help.

no, those two are not the one in question. I bought a super late type. It's wrapped and under the wrapping instead of the typical ray skin there seems to be cloth or paper ?? And it covers the peg and screw. I will post some photos soon. Its a super sword.

Ok,thanks. I'm fairly new to collecting swords. Been at it for only a few years. My collection is growing to about a dozen examples. I bought three swords going off some photos without them being disassembled. I took a shot and was hoping it would pay off. Overall this sword seems very nice. Un-touched for the most part. All three were found in the basement of a vet after a home clean out. All three were in a foot locker. I will be posting the others on this fine forum at some point. The late war sword Im afraid I wont be able to get apart. As the wrap would be destroyed removing it. Not a thing I want to do or would be willing to do. One last thing. Is this blade odd that its not dated ? Normally they are dated..

thank you for the quick replies guys. What type of quality was his work ? Is this a somewhat desirable smith ? Blade is very nice and so it the rest. I will post some photos of the complete sword.