Eric Wesson Posted February 26, 2020 Report Posted February 26, 2020 I'm selling this sword, inherited from my great-grandfather who collected late 19th century - early 20th century firearms and blades. I put it up on Ebay, and someone told me he thought it might be considerably older than Japanese WWII. I wanted to make sure I'm doing right by my ancestor, so I'm trying to make out the tang marks. I can post more pictures but didn't want to clutter this post. I'm less interested in making money than ensuring the sword goes into the hands of someone who appreciates it. Any help you can provide in identifying the sword would be greatly appreciated. http://www.ebay.com/itm/254516863155 Quote
MacTheWhopper Posted February 26, 2020 Report Posted February 26, 2020 I am no expert in these things and a new collector so my opinion can be taken with a grain of salt but the mounts to me look like a civilian gunto. These were made in WWII. I cannot read the tang but other will really be able to help. Nice sword, btw and welcome! Quote
Peter Bleed Posted February 26, 2020 Report Posted February 26, 2020 Seki Kanetsugu... Thats the easy part... P Quote
Eric Wesson Posted February 26, 2020 Author Report Posted February 26, 2020 Seki Kanetsugu... Thats the easy part... P hahaha are you implying my dear old grandpa collected Ginsu knives? Quote
Eric Wesson Posted February 26, 2020 Author Report Posted February 26, 2020 I am no expert in these things and a new collector so my opinion can be taken with a grain of salt but the mounts to me look like a civilian gunto. These were made in WWII. I cannot read the tang but other will really be able to help. Nice sword, btw and welcome! Thanks! and thanks for the info. Quote
Eric Wesson Posted February 26, 2020 Author Report Posted February 26, 2020 I understand the bottom four marks are 田魚次作, which translates to "next fish" or something like that. Quote
16k Posted February 26, 2020 Report Posted February 26, 2020 At the top, I think I see a Showa stamp, so WW2 blade made in a non traditional way. Civilian gunto koshirae or remounted after the war. It’s worth something between $600/800 2 Quote
PNSSHOGUN Posted February 26, 2020 Report Posted February 26, 2020 hahaha are you implying my dear old grandpa collected Ginsu knives? No implication, that's what the Mei reads as. 1 Quote
16k Posted February 26, 2020 Report Posted February 26, 2020 Seki was the primary manufacturer of sword during WW2. Many swordsmiths from Seki had a name beginning in Kane. I think your sword might be from one of the two Maegawa Kanetsugu. He seemed very prolific. I own one and it’s the third I see within a month. 1 Quote
Eric Wesson Posted February 26, 2020 Author Report Posted February 26, 2020 No implication, that's what the Mei reads as. I figured as much, but didn't realize that was the translation. Thanks. Quote
SteveM Posted February 26, 2020 Report Posted February 26, 2020 Possibly 関住福田兼次作 Seki-ju Fukuda Kanetsugu-saku Made by Fukuda Kanetsugu of Seki 2 Quote
16k Posted February 27, 2020 Report Posted February 27, 2020 So, another Kanetsugu then. There were several carrying that name (Maegawa, Imai...). 1 Quote
Eric Wesson Posted March 1, 2020 Author Report Posted March 1, 2020 Gents, thank you, everyone, who contributed to my understanding and helped me get this sword into the hands of someone who appreciates it. FYI it sold for $330 (no scabbard, by the way), and the guy who bought it told me it was an "okay" price. Who knows, maybe he was trying to sandbag me, even post sale - but like I said, if I'm doing this to get rich, I'm doing a rather poor job of it. 1 Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted March 1, 2020 Report Posted March 1, 2020 I just noticed the Showa stamp above the mei. It means non-traditionally made. Your price was in the ballpark considering the missing fittings. 1 Quote
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