John C

Could be a Swords of Northshire build. https://www.swordsof...ed-1095-steel-katana John C.

In reference to the chips on my blade, it is a star stamped gendaito from Kunimitsu. So not sure which construction method would have been used. John C.

I can't get a picture of it, however under a loupe the chip looks like a hole with a line of darker steel running under it. Kind of like if you dug a hole and saw the top of a dark pipe running through it. That's what it looks like to me, however I am almost always wrong when it comes to sword stuff. Could be a ware but having not seen one under steel before (it's the only blade I have with a chip) I'm not sure exactly what I'm looking at. John C.

Bruce: It's too difficult to see in this pic, however under a loupe you can see the kobuse core inside this chip. Blade was polished too thinly I suppose. John C.

I can't decipher it, however as you may know "special attack force" in the Navy generally referred to Kamikaze. John C.

There is some discussion about a father/son Kanenobu on this thread: John C.

Wally Hostetter (Florida, I think) does this kind of work, though I do not have personal experience with him. https://shiningmoon13.com John C.

Uzu-Nihonto (raymo-ya) is a legitimate seller and works out of California. I have bought some tsuba from him. Some scammer probably hijacked his photos. John C.

Correct. Common on mass-produced blades; parade sabers as well. John C.

At first glance, it's a navy dirk, acid etched hamon. Probably won't be anything on the tang. John C.

Stephen: The clincher to their existence was this document showing its purchase from the PX. Others show actual production numbers, etc. John C. Wait...were just pulling Bruce's leg?

Great minds! John C.

@Bruce Pennington Another one on ebay. https://www.ebay.com/itm/176005826671?hash=item28fac3c86f:g:RkEAAOSw2GBlQ~rF&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4MZuxwxCesLme2ct6UAbqULT8KCs0%2F6C%2BdhbUSe%2FvzZ7JKU7PnMsSlr9gBjydUqF%2BBiFoX%2Fy4ReYUXzOJJDqJsnEiGeTjdRGJJ9wuS9xxb8LNFlE8v9xelYysqeNMUjGkkZ3SnpZxJgnMuctlFVYDUbDpoMN09UBQsE%2ByA0brgDtIvl2bt9FGxt%2BGz%2B6wnd9aZviNYnpIRNy5pwsfsrDqY3%2FFppC%2Fl7Uztg3Sr%2B%2FJm4%2FJNz69EB0NbYiIcx3IUEGsq6XemdsFVMd35BTWFhg0ARHiyzvZyE5OnpSg%2BDlzFfm|tkp%3ABk9SR_bg8pr4Yg John C.

Apparently 900 bucks was too rich for someone. It's back on the auction block. Currently at 100 bucks. https://shopgoodwill.com/item/183415371 John C.

I know nothing about Japanese armor so I'll ask...could you get real samurai armor for that kind of money? John C.

Do the serial numbers on the saya and blade match? The recent market has been in the 800 - 900 range. But mismatched parts would bring the price down somewhat. John C.

I would add that in close, hand-to-hand combat, it may be possible for parry marks to be made sword against a bayonet during a banzai charge. It is far more likely, however, that as Bruce said some kid was just banging on it during the last 80 years. John C.

Bruce beat me to it. Looks legit. Note the style of font on the numbers (especially the 3), the way the bohi is cut rounded at the back and angled at the kissaki, the level of detail on the formed menuki. John C.

Not sure if this helps, however some further information on Kaneshige exhibiting a Zohei-to sword, separate from the "forging sword" division. In this case, I am assuming this was a non-traditional sword: It is noteworthy that this military sword exhibition was divided into the categories of "trial sword", "forged sword", "soldier sword", and "special steel sword". In the "Special Steel In the "Zohei Sword Division", "Yoshimasa, Kaneshige, Yoshitada, and Kanemasa" from Seki Kyoshinsha, and "Yorimasa" from Hattori Gunto Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in Tokyo are exhibited. In the "Forging Sword Division", Ichihara Nagamitsu, a swordsmith of life, exhibited a sword with a blade length of 2 or 12 shaku as "Ichihara Nagamitsu, Okayama" and was selected." John C.

Agree with Christian. May be difficult to decipher it at this point. John C.

It's what we call a "souvenir" sword. Post war for the 8th Army PX; sold to US soldiers and sailors. Still some discussion as to whether or not the blades used were surplus or made specifically for the souvenir. Search NMB for "souvenir" for further info. Note the kabutogane and menuki are Army, while the blade is navy. The tsuba is a larger version of the army tsuba. John C.

Ian: Another tip-off. Note the style of numbering is in the wrong font. Also, the bo-hi has been clearly made by a grinder and isn't long enough. John C.

@vajo Chris: I am trying to figure out how to determine which RJT smith is being referenced when looking at rankings. For example, the sword above is signed Kunimitsu, however there were 6 ranked smiths named Kunimitsu. What factors or characteristics are used to determine this was signed by Chujo Saku ranked smith Shibata Kunimitsu? Vielen dank, John C.

Type 97 kai gunto? John C.

@Bruce Pennington Any significance to a double ko stamp or just double punched for some reason? John C.