WWII Gunto From Grandfather

[Seattle Guy]

Hi,

 

I have had this gunto that I inherited from my grandfather some time ago. I only just recently picked it up and took it apart to discover the inscription on the tang. I was hoping someone could help me translate the inscription. Thanks in advance for the help! 

best,

 

chris

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Chris,

Seki Mifuku Masayuki Saku, I believe.

Grey

[mecox]

Chris & Grey,  I think his family name is probably Miwa.   So mei is Seki Miwa Masayuki saku.  His real name is Miwa Tomo'o, born Meiji 28 (1895) Aug 8 and he was living in Seki-machi, Sennen-cho.  He registered as a swordsmith in Seki on 26 Oct 1939,age 44 and interesting was the first in that list.  So likely he was making swords for sometime before then.  

[Bruce Pennington]

I have 2 other Masayuki on  file, identical mei.

 

Chris, the small stamp above the mei is the "Showa" stamp.  Some believe it to be an Army acceptance stamp, or it may the approval stamp of the Seki Cutlery Manunfacturers' Association.  There were some poor quality blades being made in the late '30s to early '40s because of a huge sword shortage.  The Seki sword dealers approached the association and asked them to inspect and approve blades to insure quality.  I believe the Showa stamp was the first one used by them.  If there is no date on the other side of the nakago (tang), then we can't know the year it was made.  It's possible it was made between 1935 and 1942, as the dating of war blades increased greatly in '42 when the Army assumed control of blade production, but undated blades were still seen throughout the length of the war.

[Seattle Guy]

Grey/Bruce/Mecox, 

 

Thanks for all of the helpful feedback. This blade has a lot of sentimental value for me. I remember when I was younger I would always look forward to holding it when I went to my grandfather's house. Now that it is in my possession it is great to learn a bit about the history behind the blade and the person who manufactured it. All the best!

 

Chris