Type 98 with hot stamp.

[waljamada]

Was just sent a sword a dealer received and wondering what I can find out about it before I get there.  Don't have time for Google digging before meeting up with him so hoping someone sees this in time.  Wondering about the hot stamp/maker (stamp means core wrapped like mantetsus?) and if these would likely be traditionally made if no stamps are present.  These are all the photos I received and the maker the seller believes it is.  Looks mill steel-ish to me.

 

[waljamada]

I passed on the blade.  Positive it's showato even with no other stamps or date but still was a cool blade with wonderful condition matching number mounts and 27 5" nagasa (seller's measurement).  

 

If anyone wants it the store name is Military Connections in South Milwaukee, WI. 

[Bruce Pennington]

Adam,

Good looking blade, but then I like bohi blades. 

 

Kabuse wrapping method isn't quite the same as Mantetsu method.  Here's a couple of examples:

 

 

Mantetsu used a hard-steel outer tube with a softer-steel rod insert.