The Mysterious "w" Stamp!

[Bruce Pennington]

5 hours ago, tbonesullivan said:

TAKEHISA!  Dated 昭 和 十 八 年 秋 - 1943 AKI

David,

Could I get a clear shot of the "&" marking, or a link where I can get the shots myself?

 

I have 2 other gunto with this mark.  Both mumei, one is likely a zoheito, and one has the "W" as well.  My current theory is that it comes from a particular shop.  Here are the other 2

787 has the & on the blade!

and 

797

[tbonesullivan]

1 hour ago, Bruce Pennington said:

David,

Could I get a clear shot of the "&" marking, or a link where I can get the shots myself?

 

I got some with my phone. Unfortunately the lens and flash photography they use on the website pictures makes it really hard to get good pictures on anything remotely shiny. I'll upload them tomorrow hopefully.

[tbonesullivan]

On 3/15/2024 at 2:51 PM, Bruce Pennington said:

David,

Could I get a clear shot of the "&" marking, or a link where I can get the shots myself?

These are the best I could do! Markings on all the fittings, including the tsuka and scabbard lock. the "&" symbol is clear.

[Bruce Pennington]

1 hour ago, tbonesullivan said:

the best I could do!

Those are great, David, thank you!

 

@Kiipu

I haven't charted the blades with the "M/W", but looking over the files, it's clear they were used in earnest after the Army took control of all sword production in 1942.

 

The stamp is seen on Mantetsu blades from the beginning of production in 1942, through the first quarter of 1944

 

On signed blades, we see it from Spring 1943 through Spring 1944

Yoshiharu (11 blades)

Spring '43 - 4 blades

Autumn '43 - 2

Spring '44 - 3

 

Takehisa (10 blades)

Autumn '43 - 8 blades

Spring '44 - 2

 

Tenshin

1945 - 1 blade

 

With the exception of the Tenshin blade, it's interesting to note that all the stamped blades use the seasonal notations on the date, including the Mantetsu.

Obviously, they are seen on Type 19s and Type 95s, but I have no dates for those.