Kiipu

Welcome aboard Andrew! Below are the kanji characters for Akihiro that @Bencld suggested. 秋廣 = Akihiro. You can go to the link below and do a search for this swordsmith(s). Swordsmith Index

Going back to the machine made blade. Clearly the blade was modified from its original configuration to fit the renewed "fittings". It is either a Type 95 [九五式] or a zōheitō [造兵刀] blade. It still has a visible 東 inspection mark on the obverse side. Does anyone have any thoughts about which blade was used? Also, could the size or location of the mekugi-ana [目釘孔] (tang hole) be used to tell the difference between the two? Attention: @BANGBANGSAN, @Bruce Pennington, & @Stegel and in alphabetical order no less.

Thanks Corry. I found the second link interesting. Below is the index page and the Japanese swords can be found in chapter 11. This is worthy of further reading but I have been known to be wrong before! Iron, Steel and Swords by Helmut Föll 11.6 Japanese Swords 11.6.1 The Myth and the History of the Japanese Sword 11.6.2 Making a Japanese Sword - Part 1 11.6.3 Making a Japanese Sword - Part 2 11.6.4 Metallurgy of the Japanese Sword

The eBay pictures are still available via the link below for those that would like to take a look. I would not wait too long as they will be taken down at some point. TANTO (sword) w/AIKUCHI KOSHIRAE

Attached is a picture of the overall view of the reverse side of the tang.

Does anyone by chance recognize this tantō signature? The first kanji character is currently unknown while the second character appears to be 廣 [hiro]. 廣 Cross-reference to the WRF thread. Japanese Tanto?

Welcome aboard Gareth! I think the sword's name came via the color of the tassel. I see a second tang hole at the bottom so I would like to endorse Trystan's request for a full tang picture.

Yes, I agree 100% with Trystan it is the katakana character ト (TO). The difference is small, but the second stroke is placed lower down the stem than the boku character. See below. TO ト versus 卜 boku. ト 卜 Attention @SteveM

Additional pictures of a previously reported Mantetsu can be seen at the link below. It is located in Australia and is currently up for sale. It is dated 1940, from the 9th series, and is a commercial version. Lot 596: WW2 Japanese Army officer’s sword signed Kōa Isshin Mantetsu Below is the link to the previous NMB thread. WW2 army officers signed sword

Chris, AKA @vajo, created and posted that image back in April of this year. Thanks Chris! Showato or Gendaito? Help with nie nioi

Most likely the number 六三. Check the fittings to see if they have a subassembly number that matches. 六三 = 63.

Fixed. Arsenal Stamps., Page 15 I was right clicking on the three dots in the upper right corner of the post to create a link. However, this would merely take one to the top of the page. Apparently with the recent update in the forum software, one needs to right click on the posted date to create a direct link to the post. The date is located directly to the right of the poster's name.

A rather nice example of the 社 inspection mark that makes an appearance on a Type 95 scabbard. Sword Picture Thread, Post #3

@Stegel made that chart up back in April 2020. Generals Tassels, Page 2

I agree it is 1941. So far, all Mantetsu's made in 1941 are engraved as 昭和辛巳春. The reverse side is marked as 興亜一心　満鐵作之.

Just pulling this together in one place. Two sizes of encircled anchor stamps are known so far, 4 & 6 mm. 4mm anchor stamp. Help identifying (and possibly dating) sword 6mm anchor stamp. Arsenal Stamps.

A little outside my area of interest but to get the ball rolling I recognize some of the characters. 奥刕 = Ōshū. Looks like 仼 but should be 住?

@Stegel & @Shamsy Is that atypical for the Pattern 7 handle to be painted olive like that?

One of the swords you depict is thought to be for Chinese use with a Chinese made blade and Japanese made fittings. I have knowledge of only two, and one is incomplete. The fittings sometimes show up in Japan. Fairly uncommon to say the least. Please help with translating the writing on sword Attention: @BANGBANGSAN & @Dave R

@BANGBANGSAN I have located the same sword on another forum which has a closeup of the Chinese character. Let me know if this changes anything in your opinion. Senior NCO Sword, Post #96

Thank you so much Trystan for helping with all the Chinese character identifications over the years. I am kinda leaning more toward 恆 on this one. However, I will need to find you some more examples to compare it to.

A 1918 illustration of the general officers sword knot can be seen on the right. The characters in the illustration are reading from right to left. 刀緒 = tōcho = a sword-knot; sabre-knot. 將官同相當官 = Shōkan dō sōtō-kan = General officers and equivalent ranks (medical, etc.).

I found you a second sword to take a look at. It was posted by @Stegel back in 2018 and the character on the obverse side of the tang could be the same as the one on @Yoshimichi's sword. Could you please look again and see if you can make out the Chinese character? Need Help Identifying Blade And Sword

Cross-Reference Link Theater-made Gunto

This is the first one with a 6 and then a number underneath. It does look like 173; but, it would be best to ask @PacificRim what the number is.