Bruce Pennington

Nice Sam! Can you do me a big favor and post a pic to the serial number without the habaki? The kanji, as view could be either a "Ra" or "U", and it's blocking the top of the kanji. Thanks dude! The etched kanji on the tsuba simply match the painted assembly numbers on the nakago "2 8 7"

Thanks Grew, I'll email him now!

Thanks Doug, just got a response back from Dan that it's already gone. I thought of going to fleabay, usually there are tsuka for sale. I was going to write to the seller to see if they had the bolt/nut combo still around, but there's not tsuka for sale right now.

Page 182, Dawson - Kaoru Airborne Unit, Nov 26,'44; raid on Burauen North and South Airfields on Leyte

Need a nut for the tsuka bolt to a Type 95 gunto.

My daughter was unable to complete her unemployment forms due to site saturation.

JP, Any chance you could contact them and get the date/mei/serial number pics?!!! Also, would love to see pics of the fittings. I don't recall ever seeing a Mantetsu in kaigunto fittings. Now to your point - Ha! Just pushes the median price up a bit, doesn't it! I'm sure you've seen the Mantetsu selling on Japanese sites for $6-7,000. But then all their gunto tend to be overpriced compared to ours.

Sorry to hear that, but thanks for the warning David! For those interested, there was a full discussion of these started by Sporter90 on Warrelics: http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/Japanese-militaria/imagination-runs-wild-shin-gunto-attributed-paratrooper-718072/ It was his, and Nick Komiya's, contention that they were not WWII items at all. While I respect their reasons, there are even similar themed etchings on leather saya covers. Both of which are authentic looking enough to convince both Dawson and Fuller. The idealists want to claim that the WWII Japanese soldier would have been terrified to personalize their weapons and/or uniform, thus going against Emperial Orders. But we have enough evindence, even photographic evidence, to know that simply wasn't true. Like all G.I.s of any nation, the Japanese troops occasionally had their independant streak. I believe these "paratrooper" items came from a particular small group of a unit that decided to have distinctive personalizations made to their gunto. But, yes, like all things, these have been copied, so buyer beware.

That's a good observation, Neil. Hadn't notices the variation before. Fits, though, about what we have learned about variations of other parts among the manufacturers. Showing my ignorance, but is the clasped hands the same as monkey hands? or are they different?

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!