Kai Gunto Tang Stamp?

[pt1093]

I am hoping to identify the origin of this stainless steel Kai Gunto, any help would be greatly appreciated.  The tang has only one stamp which I cannot find illustrated anywhere, the number 702 painted on which some other characters in black.  The stamp under magnification does not appear to be a seki stamp.

[Bruce Pennington]

I have seen that little square once or twice before, and no one knew it's meaning either. Upon zooming in, I thought it was a miniature of the "Warrior" stamp, but it's fliipped horizontally, if so.

 

My guess is that it's a TINY kokuin, swordsmiths' personal mark, or it's an unidentified inspector stamp. Seems too small to be a contract company mark.

 

Paul, any chance you could get an old toothbrush and see if an dirt will come out of that square? I'm not proposing that you damage the patina, or shine it up, but if there is just some dirt and grime that will come out, maybe it will reveal a little more detail.

 

Maybe someone can translate the kanji in black?

[Shamsy]

Occassionally you find stamps on 95 blades that are very deep and dark that look similar. I wonder if it's a small inspection stamp with the details obscured?

[ROKUJURO]

Is there a horizontal crack going through the stamp or is it a scratch? If it was a crack, it could have been caused by cold stamping a while after production, so possibly an inspection stamp.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Looks like an indent from the edges of the stamp. 

[pt1093]

Here are some magnified, different angle and light source photos.  Yes, what looks like a crack is actually a slight impression over the stamp.  While viewing this for the photos I thought I recognized a clenched fist.  (Tip is top orientation)

 

 

 

 

Paul