drb 1643

Too bad Nick Komia isn’t available anymore. He was a treasure trove of information. I sincerely miss him. The forestry dirks all have full back straps and the same boar’s eye scabbard fittings. I’ve attached pictures from the late Ken Banks collection book. He actually has a very similar dirk pictured although he was guessing about exactly what it is. I was hoping someone here would have a more definitive opinion as to what exactly this dirk is. Anyway thank you both Trystan and Bruce for your time and input. Tom

Thanks Trystan. It does have all the other features of a forestry dirk though. The railway dirks have features similar to a naval dirk. This one is a head scratcher. Tom

Can anyone please help me with identifying this forestry dirk? I realize that it’s a senior rank but I never saw one with the paulownia/kiri mon on the blackstrap. Any information will be greatly appreciated! Thank you all very much, Tom

Thank you very much Thomas for your input. No, I haven’t contacted Chris yet but I will at your suggestion. I sincerely appreciate your help. Tom

Yes Steve, and in all this time I haven’t been able to find any information on this smith. I was wondering if there was an alternate name that could possibly go with this mei. Thanks for any updated information. Tom

I have had this sword for years and am hoping for a translation of both sides please. I’ve come up with Kazutsugu, but couldn’t find any information about him. Any help or ideas will be greatly appreciated. Thank you all very much, Tom

Chris S. WOW!

Thank you very much Ray. Any idea as to legitimacy of this mei and approximate value? Thanks again, Tom

Thanks Bruce, I always appreciate your input! Tom

Hi All, I’m hoping the good forum members can help me out again with a translation of this mei and any opinions on this sword. It’s 70.2 cm cutting edge with a sori of 1.5 cm. It’s in shirasaya. Thank you all very much in advance, Tom

Thanks John

Could either of you gentlemen offer an opinion as to a fair value? Tom

Thank you very much Trystan. That was fast!

Two more pictures. Thank you, Tom

Hi All, I’m hoping for some guidance and information about this sword. I believe it’s a showato oil quenched but would love to know the smith and an approximate value. There is some damage to the tsuka wrapping but overall it’s in very nice condition and all the seppa numbers match. Any input and opinions are very much appreciated. Thank you very much, Tom

You can see in the picture I posted of the inspection stamps on the mune how nicely the sword fits into the saya without a habaki. It’s a very nice fit without any wiggle. When the tsuka is assembled the whole unit locks up perfectly with the saya again without any play. Bruce, as far as the paint goes, it does look period when you inspect it in hand. IMHO I believe this sword was never issued this late in the war and was taken care of post war. Thanks everyone for a great discussion on these hybrid 95’s. Tom

This is the only one I have Trystan. The other one I posted a few years back is no longer available, but yes it also had no habaki and the extra hole. That one was also mumei with no date or other stamps. Sorry, Tom

I’m wondering Dave if these mounts were all that were available for this smith at this time? Tom

And some more. Tom

Hi All, the reason I started this thread was because I have a very similar sword by the same smith in duplicate mounts. I just wanted to find out more information about it. To have two swords fabricated by the same smith during the same time frame in duplicate mounts I think is more than a coincidence. I’ll have to attach pictures in separate posts. Thanks Tom

Yes, that’s exactly the sword I am referring to. Thank you all very much for your help. Tom

Since the auction has ended I wanted to post the eBay number 374139642890, and hear what the members think about this item. Thank you all for any information, Tom

It also looks like the scabbard May have be renumbered to match. Tom

Run Forest run! Tom