Bruce Pennington

I'm posting a link to a thead of the same name I've created over on Warrelics combining a few posts made by Akira Komiya on the topic. We have several of these posted here and there at NMB, but this one gathers the three into one discussion. The essence is that the top graduates of Army and Navy schools were given swords, dirks, and watches inscribed with "Imperial Gift". Akira-san explains the practice and examples are posted. Imperial GIft Swords, Dirks, and Watches - Akira Komiya

Ah, is that one of those that has a couple of ways to write? This one has a extra stroke:

Here's one, that to me, supports the idea that the Budo, or grape, tsuba is Gunzoku rather than just a mass-produced civilian tsuba. It's on a kaigunto that is completely standard, yes an upgraded saya coating. The blade is a showa-stamped Yoshinao. So, the Occum's Razor approach would be to say - Gunzoku - rather than - Maybe it was in civil fittings, then switched over to kaigunto - or Maybe the Naval officer just wanted a civil tsuba (which we have sometimes seen, admittedly). Not a conclusive piece of evidence, but one that I offer in consideration of the question. Found at this Militaryitems.com page. Mislabled by the owner. Showa, not Seki.

I know I've "learned" this kanji before, but I've forgotten:

Nice set, Tim. I actually like that replacement grip. They did a decent job with it.

Circled "Yama", right? over what name, please? Sword is found on this Militaryitems.com page.

Nice work Nazar.

So, made in 1940.

@george trotter Got a new smith to add to our Matsu survey! Masakane from Ibaraki prefecture. Posted by Geoff - @Foletta - HERE. That makes 6 smiths in 4 adjoining prefectures - Niigata, Nagano, Gunma, and Ibaraki

Yes, Slough had one in his book, but this is the first one I've seen "in the wild"! Checking Slough, he attributes the kao to Kawai Kaneyoshi

The kikumon, as I am told, was used by swordsmiths that were working for, or approved of, by the Shoganate. Found on swords from the 1600s to the 1800s.

Extra seppa and tsuba can be found. I bought a complete set on ebay years ago. I've also bought a group of random extras from Crimson Mist Militaria, although I don't see any listed there right now. There are a couple of guys here at NMB that often have some, but I don't recall who exactly that was.

Here are some examples posted by @Stegel on this thread - Gold Painted Gunto I repainted a 95 years ago that had been completely stirpped and spray-painted gold, even the blade. I used an Army Green mixed with a brown. It was difficult (for me) to get the right mix to match the other 95s I own. Never got that close, so I finally stopped and let it be. Second one from the top: and from the left, here: There seems to be more brown in them that meets the eye at first.

Yes, legit WWII era sword. Depends on the fit, but yes, they normally have more seppa than that.

Thought I would add this unique WWII tsuba, posted by @aftakas HERE: Could be a modern repro, but I don't think so. Looks legit to me, and as such would be quite a custom job.

Thanks, Leen! Excellent sword! Fujita Akiyoshi, Yamagata prefecture. First one of his I've seen with the kana before the number.

Any chance of a date on the other side? All my matsu blades on file are dated.\ How about a shot or 2 of the fittings, also? @george trotter @mecox @Kiipu

That's a big find, Geoff! Thanks for the pics! The matsu stamps was originally thought to be specific to Akihisa and Munetoshi, but we have found 3 other smiths (now 4) with the mark. All dated blades were made in 1942 & 1943. Most of them are star stamped. Sesko shows a Masakane, and says he was RJT and he is listed on the RJT list. "MASAKANE (正兼), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Ibaraki – “Jōyō Kasama-jū Minamoto Masakane kore o saku” (常陽笠間住源正兼作之), “Jōshū-jū Minamoto Masakane kore o saku” (常州住源正兼作之), real name Takano Kinjirō (高野金次郎), born February 23rd 1900, student of the 1st gen. Masakatsu (正勝), he worked as rikugun-jumei-tōshō, kihin no retsu (Akihide), First Seat at the 6th Shinsaku Nihontō Denrankai (新作日本刀展覧会, 1941)"

That's a nice one, Sam! Be careful with putting your finger in the leather loop. I have one that broke on me after doing it a few times. Some of the stamps can be dates, but I don't think yours are, just inspection marks. I could be wrong, though. Best to wait for @Kiipu, or one of the other guys that study these.

Nice one posted by @matthewbrice ebay sale, mentioned here:

Any stamps above the mei?

What happened to the photo?

An update: Bob powdered the tsuba, same writing on both sides and got the full number: 軍刀報國第四二六号 Guntou Houkoku Dai Yon-hyaku nijū-roku Dai "Serve the Country with Military Swords" No. 426 Confirmation from Akira Komiya: "Yes, the numbering combined with Houkoku clearly makes it a sword paid for by donations to the navy. Probably intended to go to the first round of newly drafted reserve officers? Although you may have already seen it, here is a link to a famous wartime newsreel on the sending off of the first round of college students joining the military held in October, 1943: https://www2.nhk.or.jp/school/watch/...05402860_00000"

Late to the conversation here, sorry. All the parts look World War II era, to me. Never seen anything like that tsuba design. The sakura and other craftsmanship on it look high-quality. I’ve seen silvered tsuba and blackened ones. So that doesn’t bother me. I’ve just never seen a pattern like that on one before. If you ask me, it was a serious custom job.

Go through the Ohmura site that Marcin posted a link for. It shows all the WWII swords. The 95s and 98s were Army. Navy used the Type 97 kaigunto. There were also dress swords called Type 8/19. Prices vary considerably. Low end, with swords in poor condition - around $600-900 USD; good-excellent condition - $900-1,400; kaigunto and Army swords with traditional blades - $1,400-6,000.