Bruce Pennington

Hello P We like to have a real name to talk to. NMB rules, actually. But honestly, the photos don't reveal much. Looks Japanese, but that's about all that can be said. You might ask the buyer for better photos. I'm moving this topic over to the Nihonto forum, as this looks like a civil sword, which they will know more about.

Hi Ricky! Sam - @Scogg - can give you more details on yours. Here's a couple of good links for your info: Japanese sword care - Japaneseswordindex.com Type 95 Japanese NCO Swords - Ohmura Japanese Sword Cleaning Kits No need to take the handle off, as there will not be any signature there to see. I like to clean my gunto, when I first get them, with an oiled rag to remove dirt and grime. I lightly oil all the parts, including saya (scabbard) to prevent future rust.

Not mine, but a Showa stamped Kanenao, undated:

I don't think it's "Yasu" but can't find what it really is. Help, please? It's a gifu stamped, March 1945 in RS fittings

Very nice, upgraded kai! I like the rain pattern habaki.

I have 2 on file with katana mei like this: 1842 found on nipponto.com website 1846 from tsguiart.com site:

The fittings are from an NCO Type 95 and might sell around $150 separately. Overall, I’d guess $600-900.

I am no judge of old blades, so someone will have to help you out with this one. From the photos it looks like there are openings in the steel are those flaws? Or are they just dark marks?

I only have full photos of one 1937, and it has this same shape. Looks like the other '38s went to the rounded shape after this one.

They are big and heavy!

B25 - yes, it's a 1938, like Conway said.

Great, thanks! Is the blade signed and/or dated?

Edward, You can read up on these on Ohmura's site: NCO Gunto 1935 - Ohmura Care and cleaning: Japanese Sword Care - Japaneseswordindex.com You can decode the stamps here: Type 95 Inspection Marks - Ohmura @Scogg

Boy, that sellers description threw me way off. I thought this was a Masayuki blade, but it's not. It is Katsumasa. I've edited my post above. The mei: Noshu Seki ju Kojima Katsumasa saku 濃州関 住小島勝正作

Great sword, Steve, is this yours or are you shopping? I see you've been doing your homework! Ha! You get an "A-", though. The stamp is "Logo of the Yasugi (Yasuki) Steel Co., headquartered in Yasugi City, Shimane prefecture. (Slough, pg 98)". I have Kanemichi, Katsumasa, and Masafusa so far, with the logo.

Marcin, Some helpful reading: and

Yes, "Seki Amahide saku". Stamp is the Showa stamp. Used by the civilian Seki Cutlery Manufacturers Association from 1935 to 1942, with most blades found in 1940-41. Someone else can help with the sticker label.

The nihonto guys will step up with an age estimate. Nice blade! The listing is correct, however, that it's an old blade re-mounted for WWII, company grade officer tassel. WWII era waki made for the war did exist, but rare. Discussions showing them can be found on NMB.

Nice find, Kogel!

I like these "on request" blades. Good luck with the sale, Oliver!

Thanks for the other swords, Dave! 1. You will need to post shots of the bare blade, full length, and a couple of close shots of mid-section and tip, so the nihonto guys can help with an age range. 2. The Ufifusa with Showa stamp - which one is it of the 3?

You'll see your answer on that first link. But it's a fittings inspection sticker of the Seki Cutlery Manufacturers Association. Can you post a photo of the whole rig?

It is legit. Civil sword refitted for the war. Others might be better at dating, but I'd start with early/mid '30s and could be traditionally made.

The steel is known as Damascus steel and is well known in Chinese swords. The mei is not Japanese. The ito folds all turn in the same direction - standard Chinese. Japanese ito twist in alternating directions. It is a sword, but not Japanese.

Trivia note: While the arsenal stamped blades were almost totally tachi mei, the star-stamped blades were roughly 1/3 katana mei (like the Tsuguyoshi blades) and 2/3 tachi mei. No idea why.