BurtMayer

I see there are a few referenced here. Is there anything special about these Suya blades with no Hi? Rare, added value, etc? Or they are just like the rest, just a transition model?

Scogg, I whole heartedly agree. Buy the item, not the story. My examples have that same widow hair scuffing all over the blades. Heck the solider could have stuck it straight through the enemy and later wiped down the blade with a rag coated in volcanic rock dust. Post war rust removal post 1950 almost always involved 0000 plus or minus steel wool. I’ve seen all too much of it. That’s where I steer clear. All the swords I’ve pictured were carried during the war. Difference is the weren’t abused based on condition. Some people collect and go after used and abused items. I unfortunately have the addiction of finding the best examples.

No sharp edges on these numbers or anywhere for that fact. I took it back to check. Only the sharp edge, and that’s sharper than I expected. I usually block out a digit. Don't need someone claiming they own my item. ETA- Brian I had to reread your comment. I assure you neither of these NCO swords were arsenal reworks, or belt sanded on some knife makers shop. Again, the camera is playing tricks. When I bought these two swords I had guys chasing me asking me to resell them to them at the militaria show. I knew enough to know what they were a jumped on them. Buy the item, not the story. But the story was that the guy I bought them from (who walked into the show with them) picked them up directly from an old lady. Said they have been in his collection for over 10 years or so. It was just time to start letting some things go. You’d have to see them in person. Anyway, enough about this. I’ll report back when the Officer sword is inspected. Another one you have to see in person. Hint, the show I purchased it from was an auction showing. Many people inspected the officer sword. Many people bid. Only one was successful.

I would have always thought this is what it looked like at the time of making. What I do see is some collector maybe using something to clean it up. Considering WWII Japanese rifles, pistols, bayonets, helmets, etc are pretty much the most crude forms of manufacturing. Even early Japanese Type 38 rifles have tooling marks which are night and day better then Type 99’s. Who knows. I'll take this officer sword to be looked at soon.

One more late model for you. My point is that those marks have more than likely produced and been there since manufacture, not necessarily the fault of a polisher. Overall the blade indicates it is in impeccable condition. The gentleman (other potential buyer) inspecting it pointed this out to me. He was only looking for specific signatures. I’d even go as far to say that upon super close inspection this may be more often seen on other blades. Cameras have gotten so advanced, and can pickup stuff even unseen with a loop. This isn’t the only stuff I collect. I have found many mystery marks using cameras that usually go unseen to the eye.

So I've also got this early NCO sword. It has similar marks exhibited from most likely a fast finishing to expedite manufacture. These are slightly angled from dragging across a machine sander, my guess. ETA - Scogg, the marks I highlight were made during the manufacturing process, not from rough handling. Yes all matching. I wouldn't call the officer sword ridges a result of a bad polish, but a lack of preparation. I'd imagine when these swords were manufactured by hand or machine, they may not be perfectly straight. So there was probably a straightening process. At least I've seen that on "Forged in Fire", lol. Then the process is continued before it goes to the final polish. You wouldn't paint a car, to see marks in the paint, then blame the painter. You'd look back at who did the prep work, the body guy.

Another very hard to capture area. At angle, appears to be frosted.

This is the exact section of the blade. I found a junk sticker to get camera focus. In person to the eye the ripple can’t be seen.

Its only in that one spot, on one side. It is almost impossible to see it. I took 50 pics to get this one. I do have a past background in metal work. I found what I believed it to be. And it’s on this page. Leftover slag buildup.