Bruce Pennington

Thanks Bruno! I've seen a couple of guys that I've believed to be the same guy as well. Hope someone can nail that down for you. I suspect the nihonto guys have more people who follow the smiths than you'll find in the Military section. Have you considered posting your quesion on the Nihonto forum? http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/forum/3-nihonto/

I've just acquired (for re-sale) a 95 with non-matching numbers - blade: 86471; saya 80270; and am really starting to wonder if we are seeing actual in-the-field saya replacements, or even factory/arsenal replacements. At only 6000 numbers apart, this blade/saya were roughly only 3 months apart on the factory line. Seems impossibly close for a end-of-war G.I. mixed grab, or a post-war put together.

More importantly - do I have the pictures of the date, mei, and serial number of your Mantetsu!?!?!?

And since we're on the "sharpness" topic, you also have the peacetime/wartime regulation: http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/Japanese-militaria/sharpening-dulling-blades-were-taken-granted-675938/ I doubt your kaigunto falls into this category. The peacetime window was a narrow window and your kai would have been made after that.

My sentiments Stephen. It's been rolling around in my head for a while - there seems to be a group of guys who's pre-set approach is "Gimei!!!". It's like the "Shoot first, ask questions later" attitude. I know gimei exist, no question. But the percentage of blades that are proclaimed gimei on these forums seems unlikely. It's like 80% are gimei, 5-10% are legit, and 10% are could-go-either-way. I understand the need for the skeptical eye (yes even Mantetsu are being faked these days!), but is seems to me that some guys have fallen past skepticism to pessimism. Now, that simply may be because, in life, these guys ARE pessimists. But it sure puts a downer feel on everything. I'm obviously a "glass is half full" kind of guy, and admittedly often asssumes the good too easily. But I'd rather enjoy my hobby and be dissappointed now and then, than be "Bah Humbug" all the time, with the occasional surprise of joy. I doubt I've converted any Eeyores out there into Tiggers, but I needed to get that off my chest!

Jason, What kind of sword is it? Something from WWII?

Date is 1944. I’ll agree that looks like a faded stamp. In 1944, it was likely a “Gifu”. Stamp. Someone else will help with the mei.

Reminded me of the tan railway gaurd tassel, but it's two-tone tan. http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/28631-railway-swords-stamps/?hl=tassel&do=findComment&comment=290148

Is this the one you are refering to Thomas?

That’s an interesting couple of items, Thomas! Stegel’s thought was custom ordered blades by a senior (more money) NCO. Either would have the second ana.

Sold. Thanks for the interest!

You know that 4 out of 3 sword collectors are dyslexic!!! Yep. Upon closer examination, I can see the error of my ways. I think I'll retire for the evening, gents!

It’s a bit “rarer” than most as it has the patented saga drag. It’s got a painted Stuka handle - no same. I’ve only seen that done a couple of times. So a mix of higher-end fittings and lower end (paintedtsuka). They sell from $500 to $900. Without seeing the nakago, I’d put this at the $750 range.

Ken, any nakago pics?

Ah fudge! David, over on Translation Assistance pointed out that the stamped numbers simply match the numbers on the fittings, and therefore are simply assembly numbers. This would explain the two blades signed by the same smith, one numbered and the other not. I checked my Takayama-styled blade and its assembly numbers were painted on, but matching. So, mystery solved. The stamped assembly numbers might could be traced to a particular outfitter, though, for anyone who follows koshirae makers. Otherwise, dead thread! Sorry for the nothing-burger!

Thanks David! And the numbers matching the koshirae numbers would explain it. *Sigh* much ado about nothing on the numbering then!

Ok, the plot already thickens!!! Just found this Toyokawa blade signed by the same smith as the second blade above, but no number. found here: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/25775-ww2-navt-sword/?hl=toyokawa&do=findComment&comment=260460

Thomas,I found the same smith on another blade (no serial number), and the owner was told (who knows by whom) the smith name was "Tairo". Can we confirm one or the other?

Just came across two anti-rust blades stamped by the Toyokawa Arsenal with numbers on the nakago, 5 digits apart, but signed by different smiths. If anyone else has Toyokawa numbered blades, I'd be interested to see the numbers and who signed them. Also, I'm pretty sure not all Toyokawa blades were numbered, so it would be interesting to see if we could figure out who's blades were numbered and maybe why. For example, my Takayama-style blade is stamped Toyokawa, unsigned, and no serial number. First one, sigened Inaba Kaneyoshi: found here: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/31436-kai-gunto-katana-sword-for-review/ Second, signed Hira-Toshi Saku: found here: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/31471-translation-help/

This is interesting in that someone else has a numbered Toyokawa blade #462, only 5 numbers apart from this one, but signed by a different smith. What makes it more odd is that not all Toyokawa blades were numbered.

Aaron, Your summary is pretty good. Only the Type 3 is not part of your sword's discussion. Nick's discussion about the sword shortages came in them middle of a seperate discussion of the Contingency Model (commonly called the Type 3) officer sword, which is a totally difference model than your sword. There might be other discussions of the shortage on other threads. The topic needs a seperate thread of its own.

Ha! I knew the execptions would appear the moment I said something like that with a level of certainty! Very fine examples, too! SO, the takeaway here is that your saya (scabbard) may very well be original for the blade.

Now here’s an example of how yours might have looked with leather cover:

As to the saya - it's possible this was covered with leather during the war, but I still don't think it was original because of the chuso (locking button). Leather clad saya were normally held by a leather strap that ran through the tsuba (handguard). Now, of course, with WWII gunto, there were always exceptions to the rule!

I notice the thread marks, too, but thought that was odd as the 95 uses a barrel screw, doesn't it? That wouldn't need, or leave threaded marks.