Bruce Pennington

WOW! That is gorgeous! Thanks for posting.

Who would that be sitting next to him? Is it a small boy?

Good one, Thomas! I've added this to the Stamps doc.

Dang, good observation Marvin!

Hi Nicholas, The Type 8/19 and Kyugunto have a variety of stamps that we have no reference for. I believe them to be shop stamps or logo of the manufacturers. The only known one we see is the Suya Shoten stamp in that location. The rest, like yours are unknown.

This is the liner of a gunto for sale HERE for an outlandish amount of money (35,000 Pounds). They say the liner states the sword was made for "LT.-GEN. MASAHARU HOMMA (THE BEAST OF BATAAN)". Thoughts? The blade is pretty lame, if you ask me. But .... They don't show the nakago.

"OH THE HUMANITY!!!"

Had to post this seppa cut from black lacquered ray skin! I regularly hear about folks making seppa from leather, but this is a first.

Dang. Thanks Ray!

Appreciate the help. Mei hard to read, but I THINK I got this one!

Another Mt Fuji habaki showed up and I thought it would be interesting to see the 3 I have on file together. Wondering why they all have the same two crevasses. Seemingly identical depiction of the mountain. Here is the only photo I could find showing more detail of the mountain, and I can see 3 points at the top. So, that must be what they are depicting.

Yes, the fittings look original. A good number of swords get pitting and stains at the end. It's most likely from water that got into the saya, causing corrosion. It was a known problem, back then. A couple of mods were created in an effort to keep water and dirt out. The early Police sabers changed latching mechanisms and the Army gunto tried the flip latch throat cover and the dust proof seppa. The Rinji seishiki (Type 3) usually came with the dust proof seppa: Obviously, they weren't always successful.

I have several of these, from this particular faker, on file with the exact same serial number. They used other numbers, too, but this one was their favorite number for some reason. So sorry, Susana.

Chansen, I checked my files and have what appears to be two Nobumitsu. One has a long mei and his blades are Showa and large Seki stamped. I think he is this one: NOBUMITSU (信光), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Fukuoka – “Chikushū-jū Sa Nobumitsu kinsaku” (筑州住左信光 謹作, “carefully made by Sa Nobumitsu from Chikuzen province”), real name Koyama Nobumitsu (小山信光), he was born on the 26th day of the second month Meiji six (明治, 1873) and studied under Fukuoka-Ishidō Koretoshi (是利), he lived in Chikuzen´s Ito (怡土), kihin-jōi (Akihide), Special Honor Seat at the 6th Shinsaku Nihontō Denrankai (新作日本刀展覧会, 1941) (see picture right) The other. like yours, used 2 kanji mei, usually with a large gap between them. His blades are all '44 & '45 made, and are Gifu & Na stamped. This is likely your guy: NOBUMITSU (信光), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Nobumitsu” (信光), real name Sakō Shin´ichi (佐光信一), born June 24th 1905, student of Kojima Katsumasa (小島勝正), he worked as guntō smith and died July 21st 1993, ryōkō no retsu (Akihide) Could I get a clear shot of that stamp at the top. It's likely a Gifu stamp.

Akira followed up, after I posted this, and also felt the kana's meaning on the blade might be different. Your idea sounds more logical, with it being on a star stamped blade. Mystery continues.