Bruce Pennington

I have: 1939 Kanemichi, full civil koshirae (leather missing) No Date Kanesada, Showa stamped, full Type 98 except with Budo fuchi ND Kanezane, Kokuin, Kikusui on blade, full civil w/leather ND Kanemitsu, leafy Kiri on nakao, incomplete fittings - wood saya missing kagutogane, Army menugi ND Mumei, possibly pre-WWII, full Type 98 except Budo tsuba ND Yoshitsugu, full civil w/leather Looks like I only have that 6, not 7. Two of them were the same sword. Most seem to be WWII era blades, however the majority, 4 of 6, were fully civilian fitted before their impression into service. Another thought - These "Gunzoku" tsuba seem to be more mass produced than your run of the mill civil tsuba, simply based upon the fact that we see "many" of them compared to the purely civil tsuba that we see on civil swords fitted for the war, which are individualistic and random. What does that mean? I guess we are guessing (beside Ohmura's page). Another thought - If I were a regular IJA officer, would I buy a sword with a "civil" tsuba or one with an army tsuba? Just brain-storming here.

I'm no mei expert, but that one looks pretty questionable for Emura. I'm often wrong, though.

Ok, sure. The only reference we have is Ohmura's page, showing the bamboo, sakura, and "mallow" shapes on the Gunzoku swords - Army Civilian Swords - Ohmura

Russ, I don't have yours on file, may get some pics? Would love to hear your thoughts on that, Thomas. I had lumped them in with the other Gunzoku specific tsuba patterns, but that's just due to thier general shape and that they are found on the typical styled gunto with leather cover. I have 7 on file, some in full civil fittings w/leather cover, and some with Type 98 kabutogane and/or tusba. I even have one that was fully Type 98, but had a grape leaf fuchi.

Haven't seen that shop logo yet. I've added it to the growing section of unknown shops on Type 19 cavalry swords in the Stamps doc. We have a number of these logo on file now, and almost all of them are in the "unknown" category.

It should fit snuggly. So if the threads are sticking out past the nut, he might have made the bolt a little too long.

The fittings are type 98 Japanese Army officer sword fittings. It was a common practice to refit older family swords in World War II for the war.

Appears to have a Showa stamp at the top?

I also think this is a reproduction or fake. Your suspicions are valid. Serial numbers on habaki are a classic Chinese fake practice. Also, Kyu gunto had 3 wire strands on the handle, not 2. Like you, I have always been amazed at the time and effort that must have gone into making fakes. When they are sold and advertised as a reproduction, they are usually asking $150. But they must get the labor so extremely cheaply that even that is a profit for them. Then if someone is willing to pay $1000 they just hit the jackpot.

An older family blade re-fitted for World War II.

when the Japanese military decided to turn away from Western styled swords in the 1930s, and go to traditionally shaped and manufactured samurai style swords, they immediately created a shortage of the new swords - shingunto. As the sword industry tried to increase production to meet the increased demand there were a good number of poor quality blades hitting the market, damaging the industry’s reputation. Industry representatives went to the Seki Cutlery Manufacturers Association asking them to inspect all blades made in the Seki area. This was an effort at self policing, or self quality control. The Showa and large Seki stamps were used until the army took total control of sword production in 1942.

May 1944 Kane(Nao)?

It has actually been done a few times, but it is very rare. Dale, you have to have the name of its wartime owner, and without a surrender tag that is not possible.

Thanks Jean! that is the larger size of the stamp used by the civilian organization.

Haven’t seen that one before.

Sam, this looks like a legitimate copper handle NCO. I don’t know why it has a steel tsuba and field saya. Maybe a personal modification or repair/replacement?

Good example Frank. To add to your point, the bohi is tapered whereas it should be rounded/squared for a Tokyo blade. you will also see that the dimples in the white diamonds of the handle are punched rather than formed.

While we wait, could you post a photo of the Seki stamp? Also, is there a date on the other side?

Their original design was to be secured to the wrist so that in combat the sword would not be lost if it fell from sweaty hands. By World War II, they were essentially just rank indications.

Other guys might have a different value range, but my earlier opinion is my best guess, $600-900. Showato with stains, missing fittings. Some one will want it, though.

That's a beauty, Mason! Good luck with the sale!

Excellent! Those are inspector stamps KO - Kokura Army Arsenal Supervisory Section HO - 1st Factory of Kokura Army Arsenal 3 - We don't have a known explanation for these. Usually 1, 2, or 3. Possibly a particular inspector or inspector section?

Agreed. Dawson says this model was for "Japanese patrolmen and sergeants and with the swords authorized for Japanese naval prison guards and shore patrol sailors.....authorized for enlisted men in the Manchukuo Imperial Army."

Field grade tassel, so Major and Colonels.

Ah, this one "廣" always gets me! Thanks Ray!