Kiipu

United States. United States Strategic Bombing Survey. Index to Records of the United States Strategic Bombing Survey. June 1947. Microfilm, 317 pages. This is a book that was microfilmed by NARA. The USSBS collected an enormous amount of primary English and Japanese language documents, most of which are held at the United States National Archives and Record Administration’s (NARA) Archives II complex in College Park, Maryland. The above index is a crucial finding aid for accessing these primary source materials detailing the effects of Allied bombing on Germany and Japan. US$30 including shipping to US. Many public libraries and most college libraries will have microfilm machines available.

Christopher, you can read about these file marks in the monograph below. It is free to download and is courtesy of Bruce Pennington, author extraordinaire. Stamps of the Japanese Sword

German Language Book & Magazine Heidler, Michael. Deutsche Gewehrgranaten und ihre Abschussgeräte bis 1945 [German Rifle Grenades and Their Launching Devices up to 1945]. Aufsätze zu Geschichte+Technik, Band 9. Verlag W. Sünkel, 2003. Autographed by author. German Language. Softcover, 8.25 x 11.75 inches, 152 pages, black & white illustrations. The Japanese Type 2 Grenade Launcher was based upon the German Gewehrgranatgerat. Visier: Das internationale Waffen-Magazin (August 2005). Published by Vogt-Schild Deutschland GmbH. German language. Softcover, 8.25 x 11 inches, 148 pages, color illustrations. The magazine has several articles on historic firearms besides modern ones. Price for both is US$99 including shipping to United States, shipping overseas add about $45.

The tang has four file notches towards the bottom. These notches might be related to the subassembly number of the parts. In my opinion, this is not an arsenal made blade.

OK, I can go along with that. I will add Kaneyoshi 兼吉 to my list.

That is actually a different Kaneyoshi 包義.

I only have one 兼重 Kaneshige recorded. The same sword on three different occasions. NMB James 2008-0411 NMB Chriso 2010-0724 NMB Chriso 2022-1002

The following swordsmiths used this combination of patent & 眞金入 stamps. 正房 Masafusa [by far the the most common] 兼重 Kaneshige

Is this sword currently in Japan or did it recently come from Japan? Bruce is correct that this is a patent marking and I think it was removed for some reason.

正真甲伏鍛兼吉作 = shōshin kōbuse kitae Kaneyoshi saku Jean, you are correct. I was asking about the big stamp. Bruce, take a look at this sword. Similar beginning in the mei but note the additional stamps. Translation Needed

Was on cell phone and wanted to flag the thread for later research. My question is this. Was the indentation done by the swordsith while the steel was hot or was it done after the blade was finished?

Help! Trystan, Bruce, Mal, and Jean. @BANGBANGSAN

ミ一二九 41st series 満鐵鍛造之 with 南 inspection mark 昭和癸未春 1943 Spring

Maybe Bryce can help with the blade identification.

I wonder what happened to the menuki? The ito wrap does not look loose.