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To complete Stephen’s translation: “Showa ju hachi nen shichi gatsu” (July 1943). PS: Hard to tell if it is “ju” or “shichi”....(Oktober or July).

Hi Meikeru? I never came across a rank marking on “sendan-no-ita” or “kyūbi-no-ita”. Sometimes you can find a “mon” on gyoyo...but that’s it, as far as i know....

Have my problems with the “mune” character! We need a mei for comparison...

Probably somebody’s attempt to write “清則” (Kiyonori). Kissaki is also pointing towards fake, IMHO.

“昨” (saku), but with a different meaning.

????....as you know John. We never can be sure! First rule....there are no rules in the katchu world ????

Well, I can understand the Ichiguchi call, based on the shape and workmanship of "Masanobu" (市口明珍正信), a recorded Ichiguchi Myochin smith from Edo. See picture below: Although totally diffrent from Fujiwara Masatsugu (藤原正次), also Ichiguchi. But that leads too far..... My Owari search ended unfortunataly in a blind alley....C’est la vie However, the interesting point is, that the kabuto I postet above is signed "Masanori saku" (正則作) and sports almost the same characteristics as the mentioned "Masanobu" example and the kabuto in question. "Masanori" is not listet as an Ichiguchi smith. But because he uses the same character for "Masa" (正) in his mei, like "Masanobu", we can probably assume, that he was also in the lineage of the "horsebit guys". All in all, despite the odd mei "Terunaga" (輝長?), I have to admit John, that the most indications pointing towards "Ichiguchi Myochin" (市口明珍) at the moment Nick, can you make a close up of the mei? Hard to read!

More “Owari related”, I suspect John!

.....I guess you meant this one: "Masanori saku"!

Yes Ian, your memory serves you. Gut feeling says Haruta or later Myôchin. I´m still searching....

Hi Nick, this smith is not listed. So I have to dig a bit deeper..... Picture of the mei available?

Indeed!

Yes Ian! In fact, the Meikan is at present almost the only resource, western collectors can fall back to. Unfortunately, this compilation of armorers is incomplete (I have a bunch of smiths in my archive, not listed there). Anyway, from what we have, the positioning of the mei and the style it was chiseled, matches the smith in question......and (at least) the mabisashi tells Myōchin :-) As far as this odd reinforcement is concerned, I guess it’s a later addition. Otherwise, it would be riveted together with the hagi-no-byō. If you look closely, you can notice faint remnants of gold lacquer on the hagi-ita inside. Not a cheap helmet back in the days. Interesting, like Ian said!

Well, I think we can exclude the Ichiguchi-Myôchin, the Kojima-Myôchin, also the Kunitomo smith and the Iwai guy....(all Munehisa´s "宗久" ). Whats left, from the recorded smiths, is a Munehisa from Kôzuke (or Jôshû 上州) province, dated to the late Muromachi period (although, the Meikan is not clear in this regard....but this is another story). This assumption is also supported by the fact, that the signature seems very similar. Any other opinions? Interestingly, the hishinui seems to be made of leather.....

The same Grev! Except November instead of August.

Hi Mark, well done! The Meikan counts at least 5 Munehisa. I’m in a rush, so if nobody chime in, I’ll come back to you this evening.... (Yes, please leave it alone for the moment!)

I’m in the mood for a wild guess this morning.... Right side “盛之” (Moriyuki + Kao).....?

Not “十一月” Ray?

That was new to me.... Thanks Ray!

In your case: 一 (1) 三 (3) 五 (5) Following the 長 (for length) after the smith, mentioned in parentheses.... Hint: 尺 = shaku 寸 = sun 分 = bu 厘 = rin Good luck

Ah, I see....Many thanks for the examples Moriyama san!

Hello Moriyama San. Couldn’t figure out the “Fuji” character. Is this an abbreviated form?

Hello Luis, I don’t have Haynes, but found an artist with this name (and spelling) in Markus book! Not sure if it is the guy in question?! I’m afraid we have to translate the right side of your tsuba

The only guy I could find... Yoshiharu (美春) late Edo to Meiji – Edo – Tamagawa school and student of Ishiguro Masayoshi (石黒政美) – gō Jushōsai (寿松斎) ??

.... "Suishinshi"...of course!