Corry

All, Thoughts on this type 98. The mei on the nakago looks too crude for an original, but I may be way off on this. Thanks in advance!!!

Thanks all for a very interesting discussion. When looking at it closely, the nakago looks to have kanji characters on it, but not ledgible due to corrosion, so no way to tel who the smith was. Either way thanks again!

Can someone please enlighten me. This sword is for sale as a Edo period, old family blade in WWII tanker/pilots mountings. How can one discern that this is an edo blade? The ad says unsigned, but it looks as if some kanji characters are barely visible on the nakago. Any thoughts on a fair price? Thanks for looking!

Hi all, I am getting back to my first love, WWII Japanese swords. I already have two semi-traditionally mage officers Gunto's. My question is what would a nice quality (Showa) Gendaito in type 1 or two gunto mounts run (low to reasonably high quality, not associated with a famous person..just a nicely well taken care of gendai?) Here are a couple of pics of showa semi-traditiopnally made guntos, but now I need a gandaito!

Oops, the total for the sword was $1575, not $1676.

Thanks Geraint! As far as the scabbard paint goes, the seller says, "The scabbard is black and not the traditional creamy color that you normally see. I believe this was a period done thing for whatever reason." I don't read Japanese, but does the mei look good to you? I am not sure if the scabbard is wood or metal wrapped wood as this was an online auction. I probably paid a bit on the high side, but do you think $1575 is ok, or did I get fleeced? My knowledge is limited to NCO swords, so i am a bit of a novice. Thanks again, Cheers!

Hello! What are your thoughts on this signed Type 98? Any idea why the scabbard has been painted black? And, of course finally, do you think this is an original? Best Regards! -D

Also, I do keep a catalog of all my artifacts in an excel spreadsheet. Any non-original parts/additions to any item are commented and noted and would be disclosed if/when I part with them. -Cheers!

Picked up this nice reproduction screw thanks to BANGBANGSAN and Don Schlickman:

Bruce, it sold for $2500..about $500 more than I was willing to spend on this sword..I think I will check out the for sale section here, where I don't have to be as concerned about reproductions..but I will still do my due dillegance (sp?).

Thanks, Bangbangson! I'll contact him.

Thanks for all your replies. Bruce, $1000 would be a steal! I think it will go up quite a bit near auction end.

I am thinking about getting this sword. I have heard showa22 getting mixed reviews. Any thoughts on this sword (is it put together etc)/what a fair price would be? Thanks again. Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.com/itm/351909206969

Thanks guys! That helped a lot!

The lanyard loop should be on the other side of the tsuka and it is too small to get round the tsuka's end

Here is the same sword in another post..pics can be enlarged there: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/20955-wwii-Japanese-nco-with-brass-tsuba/

The lanyard/tassel loop is in the wrong orientation and it's driving me nuts. What is the best way to remove the lanyard/tassel loop screw on this sword? A regular slotted screw driver is out of the question and the metal is soft (copper?) and is easily marred. Thanks in advance!

Will do. Thanks Bruce!

Shamsy, Thanks for your reply. Yes, I am looking for an original screw for the tsuka. Id'e really hate to put anything else in here, but may have to settle for a reasonable replacement.

I just won this on an auction. I have been looking for a brass (copper?) tsuba NCO sword, but they seem to be hard to find in nice condition. As you can see, the tsuka is missing a screw and the tassle hangar loop was, at some point removed and put back in the wrong position (changing that should be easy). Does anyone know where I may find an original replacement screw? I am expecting this to be hard to find.

Bruce, you helped me with my first purchase (thanks again), which is the bottom one: "Corry, nice going for a first shot off eBay! I've gotten about a third of mine from there, but there are some real clunkers out there! Sword was made by Ījima Tōken Seisakusho (left stamp); Inspected by Tokyo First Army Arsenal (center stamp) for the Tokyo Kokura Army Arsenal (right stamp). Likely year - 1939-41ish. Great place to learn about these: http://ohmura-study.net/957.html#6"

I am having a hard time with the middle marking. The first one on the left (handle in upwards orientation) is Suya, the far right is Kokura.