Bruce Pennington

Sesko doesn't list a WWII Yoshitada, which often happens.

Hi Barry, We'll need a really close shot of the blade showing hamon (temper line) and any details of the steel that are visible, to make a guess on whether it is traditionally made or not. Lack of stamps opens up the possibility that a blade is traditionally made, but not a guarantee. Hopefully someone like @SteveM will help with the second smith name. I know I've seen it, but cannot recall. Edit: I think this guy - Kanetada - is your smith:

May, 1945 Dean, where did you find that quote? Concerning the missing saya, I don't remember if it was a movie scene or something from a book I read, but a G.I. picked up a sword that had been brandished by it's Japanese owner during a battle. He was battle weary, and didn't bother to get the saya off the dead soldier. I suspect many swords were picked up this way. In another book, G.I.s were grabbing swords from a pile. One could easily have been in the pile without it's saya, or simply slid out of it's saya when pulled from the pile.

Thank you, Gunter, the semi-mysterious Gifu stamp. It came into use in '43, but really was used increasingly in '44 and '45. It was a time when stamping became more locale-based. We don't know exactly who used it, but it was likely a Nagoya inspector in Gifu. After comparing Yoshitsugu and Yoshimune in my files, I'm leaning toward a butchered-up Yoshimune. All my Yoshitsugu are Seki stamped and use another kanji for "Yoshi" Example: The Yoshimune are Gifu stamped and have very comparable strokes This one was also October '44, posted by @1tallsword

Gunther, Any small stamps above the name or date? You may know what you have there, but just in case, good reading on this model on the following links: Army Officers Type 3 - Ohmura Unveiling the Rinjiseishiki 1940 - Nick Komiya, Warrelics True Significance of the contingency model, or Type 3 - Nick Komiya

Yes. Out of the 400 or so Showa stamped blades on file, only one was dated 1942. So, it's safe to say for practical purposes, '41 was the last year they used it. '

Is that August 1659? (sorry to intrude, just practicing)

Here's another of the many fakes with the etching on the blade, this time in kyugunto form. Significant is the post by JAPLMB: "That is a Chinese made sword, for sale to tourists, and dates to the late 1990's to mid 2000's. I made 11 trips to China during 1999 and 2000 time period, and bought those swords as gifts for my co-workers for $10 each, from street vendors on every trip." The Gunboards Post: Need Help with a Sword

Dean, You can read about the Showa stamp, and all the others, on my Stamps of the Japanese Sword document. It was used by the civil Seki Cutlery Manufacturers Association from 1935 to 1942, with most seen in 1940-41, just to give you an idea of it's date range. Concerning cleaning, I always disassemble my gunto, when new, and lightly clean all dirt and grime with a warm, damp cloth. Sometimes a toothbrush helps. You have to avoid chemical cleaners as they will remove the original finish/patina done at the factory. Then lightly oil them before re-assembly. As mentioned, never try to buff or polish a blade. It will be permanent and will be visible to anyone familiar with blades. Google "Japanese Sword Cleaning kit" and you will get lots of them online at little cost. Here is a good care and cleaning guide: Japanese Sword Care.

Wow, Sam, wonder why the ito was cut away like that? Also, I've only seen maybe one other gunto with the haikan worn this much. Guy must have worn it every day and done a lot of walking!

Shoot, Brian, I completely forgot what was on my kaigunto with Kamakura blade - clasped hands!

Reminds me of this one: "Learn from the mistakes of others. You don't have time, in life, to make them all yourself." Ha! I think I keep trying to make them all myself!

Unlike the other metal fittings, the sarute have an amazing amount of variations and variety.

The Edit function is diabolically hidden in those 3 dots in the upper right corner of your post. Click on it and you'll get choices, one of which is Edit. However there is a time limit that, once expired, the edit is no longer available. Like they said above, at that point just PM a Moderator and ask for a delete.

Dee got me searching Ohmura's site, and sure enough, he's got a Minatogawa with clasped hands sarute:

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!