Kiipu

John C, thanks for the clarification. I think the handle fitting are original but maybe a rewrap and replacement menuki? John (PNSSHOGUN) is correct about the ito wrap starting on the wrong side and this reinforces the notion it is a rewrap done in the States. Below is a link to another 29th series and the only other one that has the knot tied around the kabutogane. Imperial Japanese Army Officer Sword JS23

㋕ W 京

Well I be darned, that is his signature below that of Vice Admiral Ugaki. The plot thickens! 星野利元 Fiftieth Army (Japan)

Could it be the other way around? In that the cord wrap was over the original fittings and protected them all these years. Did you ask @mdiddy about this as he was the seller the second time around?

The surrender took place on USS Panamint (AGC-13) on 1945-09-09 at Ōminato, Aomori Prefecture The links below will provide background information and pictures of the surrender. Vice Admiral Ugaki can be seen at the crew photo link along with his signature at the bottom link. USS Panamint (AGC-13) USS Panamint (AGC-13) Crew Photo Collections ORIG WW2 Japanese Surrender USS PANAMINT Navy ship booklets-1945 Japan-vtg-photo

If the press release and plaque is correct in that it is coming from the Commanding Officer of Japanese Naval Forces of Hokkaido and Northern Honshu, then the sword belonged to Vice-Admiral Ugaki Kanji 宇垣完爾, commander of Ōminato Guard District 大湊警備府 from 1945-03-15 to 1945-11-30. Ōminato Guard District

The museum has a picture of the fittings and they depict a Naval Type 97 Guntō. The picture is large enough to zoom in and read the plaque. However, Admiral Ugaki could not have surrendered the sword per se as he was already deceased. He made one last flight on 1945-08-15 and did not return. Possibly the sword belonged to someone else? American Merchant Marine Museum History

Reportedly, one of Admiral Ugaki's swords is on display at the American Merchant Marine Museum. It was donated to the museum by General MacArthur in 1945. Surrendered Sword of Vice Admiral Ugaki Awarded to Kings Point Academy World War II Japanese Surrender Sword Analyzed by Metropolitan Museum of Art Expert

I agree but need a better picture. It starts with a name of a ward 区 so it is coming from a large city. 四Ｘ区南Ｘ通二-二〇?

Red Paint ロ = katakana character RO. 二 = 2. 一 = 1. 九 = 9.

Dialing 1-800-@BANGBANGSAN.

Arnaud, I have not read it; but, I will post a link for others to take a look. Nagaoka Tsuneyoshi 長岡恒喜. Sensō to Tsuba 戦争と鐔 [War and Tsuba]. Bijutsukurabu Shuppan-Bu 美術倶楽部出版部 [Art Club Publishing Department], 1942. https://ndlonline.ndl.go.jp/#!/detail/R300000001-I000000684581-00

Did BaZZa say old guns? Well then, how about this! Start at page 66 for the Japanese matchlocks. A.E. Brooks's Collection of Antique Guns

In the spirit of one-upmanship, try beating that BaZZa! https://library.si.edu/digital-library/book/japaneseswordits00coop or The Japanese sword and its fittings

The webpage states the book will start to ship in March 2023. Swords Of The Emperor

Little is known about the forge other than it started as a shrine and later a forge was established to help with the war effort. The location is known and the gate is still standing at the school. However, the rest is long gone. Exactly who the master swordsmith was, I do not know. Have you tried contacting Chris Bowen about this? He specializes in the swordsmiths of Tōkyō. So far, your blade is the only one I have seen. Hopefully, more than one blade has survived the ravages of time.

The swordsmith Fukuda Zenshirō 福田･善四郎 from Saga Prefecture 佐賀縣 also used Sadamitsu 貞光 as a mei in 1937. He went by either Hizen no kuni Masamitsu or Hizen no kuni Sadamitsu 肥前国正光又ハ肥前国貞光. It is doubtful that this is him, but it does show just how many swordsmiths were using the mei of Sadamitsu 貞光.

Trystan, the 将校軍刀監査委員会 was not established until February 1942. JACAR C01005287100

August 1942 is the earliest Star stamp I know off. However, @Ganko gives February 1942 as the earliest observed star stamp. Introduction to the Type 94, Type 98, & Type 100 Gunto

A very common maker of economy swords for the war effort. Note the M inspection mark at the very bottom of the tang on the signature side. 武久 = Takehisa. 昭和十八年春 = 1943 Spring. Black paint: 五六七 = 567.

RASC Royal Army Service Corps HQ Headquarters 34 Ind Corps XXXIV Corps (British India) SEAC South East Asia Command

Japanese TROPHIES. The bearer of this No. S/14770050 Sgt. BENNET A.A. 421 British Supply Platoon (Lt) RASC is entitled to be in possession of a Japanese Sword issued to him under th provisions of HQ 34 Ind Corps letter No. 190/1/A1 of 24 Oct 45 governing the provisions of Japanese Trophies to those who took part in the re-occupation of MALAYA. Station – SEAC. Date Jul 46.

A couple of us, including @Shamsy, discussed this sword at length over at WRF. This is a well documented sword via F&G and I think it is more in the line of local Type 95 production. However, not everyone agrees and instead think it was for officer use. Short Development History of Type 95 Gunto, Starting at Post #330

Thanks Trystan for the additional translation. 於大連 = oite Dairen = at Dalian (Chinese 於大连).

Hi Chris and welcome to the forum. Several of these swords have showed up in the last six months and I am skeptical of them. However, if there is paperwork that goes with the sword or pictures of him with it than the matter is mute. The larger ships in the U. S. Navy had a Marine Corps detachment aboard and your wife's grandfather could have been assigned to one. If that is the case, he could have picked up the sword just about anywhere. Keep digging and keep us informed of any new developments. Marine Detachment