Bruce Pennington

It might match numbers on the metal fittings. Are there numbers on the tsuba, seppa, or other parts?

Not as a general rule. I cannot recall seeing something like that, but I don't study the Type 8/19s, nor the kyu in-depth. Maybe one of the other guys that studies them can say with more experienced background.

Good one, John! In my search to verify Nick Komiya's claim that the tassel was invented and designated for the Gunzoku, in 1942, the chart seems to support it. This 1935 date would counter the claim, but I have 3 other gunto with older blades (one 1940; a 1918; and a 1920) that had the brown tassel. This one might have been originally bought by a Gunzoku with a brown/blue tassel and then switched over to the all brown after they were designated in the Uniform Regulation change.

Only 2 of the other 8 showed the hamon. Each was quite exotic, and different from the next one.

The re-worked tsuba would go along with this idea, too. I haven't seen a hamon that changes for fancy to suguha before, but I don't study that stuff. Quite unusual! I have 8 other Masafusa with one or both stamps, but an interesting one has the exact same mei, but just the registrations stamp, posted by @David McDonald back in 2013:

It has been proposed that the kobuse method used tamahagane, and blades stamped as such are gendaito. No proof either way, though. Have to examine the blade for evidence.

The handle and nakago (tang) look short. How long is the cutting edge? Tanto are under 12" Wakizashi (shorter sword) - 24" - 12" Daito ( katana, uchi-katana, tachi, no-dachi ) - over 24" Helpful info on this site: http://japaneseswordindex.com/measure.htm

Hi Ken! You'll find more guys that can speak to sword era for you over at the NMB Nihonto Forum.

Sad to see that! Is it actually up for sale, or are they still finishing it?

Check this out: Clause 2 discussion. Short version: "Nick Komiya in his Rinji Seishiki to Daiyou Seishiki Weapons Specs thread has uncovered specific documents detailing the conversion of this Clause 2 stamp to mean "Article 2 of this regulation defined Daiyo-Seishiki-Heiki as “weapons in specifications employing substitute materials in its component(s) or redesigned to conserve materials" or more succinctly "Substitute-Spec Weapons". Late war mil spec changes allowed non-standard materials and non-standard production in many weapons, including swords. The circled 2 originally would indicate the weapon could not be used for combat and should only be used in training. But the late-war reg change also changed the use of the stamp.

Thanks, Seth! No numbers or stamps on the blade, either under the habaki or just outside of it? I ask because I have 2 on file with similar shaped tsuba, and they have a kanji + numbers just outside the habaki. How about a full length shot?

Hi Seth! Those are tough ones, as they are likely not fully/cleanly struck. I suspect the one by the numbers and the top one on the nakago mune is the Clause 2 stamp, but it is much smaller than any I've seen before: On the mune, I'd say the Class 2 and below it, a very partially struck Seki stamp. Pardn my poor photo-shopping:

Mikko, You can clearly see the quality difference in the first photo. The saya parts (don't know about the actual saya) are copies. I have others on in my Fakes file similar, even with the bare saya:

Thanks Steve! I'll just note that on the file.

So, the cut tester was Kanjuro, but we don't have a date? Sorry for the rookie questions, but in this, I really am a rookie!

We've seen the Heijo stamp on a blades.

That's cool, John! It's the I Ro Ha series, same thing used by SMR for the Mantetsu serial numbers. Nice to see other manufacturers using it, too.

@SteveM Aoi Art says the cutter was Yamano Kanjuro, tested early Spring 1934 Do you concur with the name? I ask because his kakihan (kao) is identical to a cutter in the 1600's by the name of Nagahisa: Kanjuro Nagahisa

That's quite beautiful, Stefan. Nice custom fittings as well. Good luck with the sale.

I've had a couple swords come in tubes, with no dents or bends. But almost ever 4 sided, even 3 sided boxes have had dents and bends. Thankfully, no damage to the swords. I like the tubes!

You've done some good research, Brittany! Quite interesting photo background, too. Is that actual, or photo-shop type software? Have you seen the Ohmura pages on the Type 95 with the shop and arsenal stamps? - http://ohmura-study.net/794.html The star is from the Tokyo 1st Army Arsenal. It appears on blades after 1942. Prior to this, you'd see the Kokura stamp on both Tokyo & Nagoya 95s.

Sorry about your suffering, Brian. Praying for you.

I agree with all the above. The koiguchi and sayajiri appear to be modern reproductions. I suspect the blade was legit and put into a variety of real and fake fittings. I'm really puzzled by the tsuba/seppa set. I THINK they are legit, but I have a kaigunto tsuba/seppa set with the exact same number - even the impartially struck "6" and small star:

Yes! Forgot that term! Dawson has some from Prison swords. I thought the foul pattern might have significance, but apparently not. Just variations of it.

Ah, yes we've seen that many times over the years! I own 2 NCOs that had been painted gold. Now that you mention it, is that tsuba painted gold, or is that just lighting effect?