Bruce Pennington

FYI - I have decided to release updated versions of the Stamps document on an annual basis, rather than semi-annually. New discoveries have slowed. There are a few since the Mar '24 version, but not enough to warrant a new release. Thanks to all who have contributed!

Thanks John! Here's the best shot they posted:

John, Could I get a close-up of the kiku on that menugi?

Kiku imbedded in an anchor on bowls. Posted by GHP95134 on this Warrelics Thread

Thanks, Trystan. I see I've flipped the order in my head. Seki Cutlery Co., Ltd was first, followed by Seki Shoten Co., Ltd. My overworked memory had it the opposite.

It is also an example of the realistic ito and the "drooped" wrap under the barrel screw:

@Kiipu @BANGBANGSAN I know I've asked this before but don't remember the answer - What is the range of numbers with the Gifu stamp? 17000 seems REALLY early for Gifu.

This one appears to be a white strip of fabric. Odd looking sword, too, as the tsuka looks unusually long. Maybe a family/civil sword? Full photo over an this Gunboards thread.

An interesting aspect of these is that none of them match the coloration of the kabutogane. They are all a more 'yellow' color and not patinated like the rest of the fittings. So, IF they are wartime legit, they must have been a seperate purchase by the officer and added to the sword later.

Ok, sorry, didn't mean to confuse. The blade IS old, but like many swords during WWII it was refitted for an officer for use in WWII. Could you post a photo of the full rig? Many men who had family blades brought them and had them refitted. There were sword shortages a couple of times, and the military asked for donations, so this could have been donated, or even sold to the military. Finally, there were over 1,000 sword shops during the war and many of them had old swords that they had refitted and then sold to officers. So, there are various ways this older blade wound up with WWII fittings. You can see the various types on Ohmura's site: http://ohmura-study.net/931.html

No, not at all. A stamp would tells us the blade was not traditionally made (unless it was a Star stamp), but the lack of one leaves it open that the blade could be traditionally made. But, the lack of one doesn't mean it's traditional, though, as many smiths sold blades, both gendaito (traditional) and showato (non-traditional) through the open market, not through the military. Just curious. Here's all Sesko's book has on this smith: "YOSHIMICHI (吉道), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Yoshimichi” (吉道), real name Kojima Yukiyoshi (小島幸吉)"

You haven't told or shown us the blade you are talking about. Something old? WWII? NCO? In any case, please don't sharpen or polish this yourself! Many a blade has been ruined with DIY jobs. Professional polishers can fix the problems you've mentioned. Top end jobs will run over $2,000, but some of the polishers can "fix" edges and give lower cost polish jobs. When I had mine done, there were 3 levels of polishing that I could chose from. I can't get a screen shot of the links, but at the top of the page, click "Nihonto Info", then slide over to "links", then over and down to "Restoration" for a list of polishers.

With Japanese sword dates, you always have to subtract 1 Showa 1926 + 19 (-1, so 18) = 1944 March 1944. Quite a unique gunto, Vern. The tsuba isn't normal for a Contingency model, yet it looks like it was made this way, so a personal upgrade or modification by the owner? Also, any stamps near the top or on the back edge of the nakago?

I'd ask @mecox

Did a fast scroll through all the pages to see if this one had been posted, and it refreshed my awe at the amazing skill these craftsmen/artists have! Truly awesome talent. This has some really great deal work, on a sword for sale by @obiwanknabbe HERE.

Ashley, I just noticed the tsbua/seppa in the first photo. You likely know they are WWII Army fittings, right? Probably Type 98 officer?

Followed several links, and K.Morita translated it on a kaigunto as Tadatsuna here:

By "blade restored" do you mean polished? Tightening the tsuka usually is done by adding a seppa or 2 until snug. You can find the sometimes on ebay. I've bought some from Crimson Mist Militaria though, right now, he doesn't seem to have many for sale.

Still would like to see this topic develop! I don't have a definite late war gunto, but I have a kai with a Takayama style blade in fittings that could be a late war assembly. It also could be a post-war collector attempt to put some fittings on a blade without any. But my gut feel is that it was a late war assembly. Let me count the ways ... The single haikan (ashi); the leather saya cover looks fairly new, but it does have wear; and the numbers on the saya throat match the seppa numbers The fuchi was made for a chuso, but not the saya, nor tsuka, so this could be post-war add-on Yet, the liner doesn't really look like it was made for this blade, even though the numbers match the fittings The sarute is elongated and metal, vs the cloth sarute often found on kaigunto And finally, the mumei blade has one of those mystery paper labels, unreadable from time and wear So, post-war piece together or late war gunto using available parts? The sticker, the single ashi, the matching numbers, the newish leather with a bit of wear - I lean toward late-war.

Just saw this, Christopher. Hm! Is it an inked stamp number 2? If so, I've never seen one like it. Are the other metal fittings stamped with a 2?

Ok, no date, thanks!

That's a gorgeous habaki, Christopher! Any stamps above the mei or a date on the other side? or stamped numbers at the end?

A couple of them posted by: @Fusilier HERE. and by @chgruener HERE.

Got it thanks man!

Mark, forgive me for diverting, but John - I see one of yours has black same'. Do you have any insight or thoughts on why that shows up occasionally? Just saw another on this Wehrmacht-awards thread.