Translation assistance on Type 98 acquisition and approximate dating

[Eds]

Blade has been very badly maintained however it appears that a Hamon extends the length of the blade

Reverse side of the tang is blank except for black paint possibly assembly markings

inspection stamp?

[uwe]

I think it is “福本兼宗” (Fukumoto Kanemune).

[mecox]

Ed, see post & messages by Erwin Nov 24:  

 

[Nihonto Chicken]

See page 40 of The Samurai Sword by Yumoto for a comparison.  Note he translated the mei as Fukumoto Kumemune.  I happen to have such a signed sword in my motley collection. 

[Bruce Pennington]

Ed,

An approximation for the date can be made from the fact the blade is Showa stamped.  In my survey, there are 176 undated, stamped blades and only 50 dated ones.  Of the dated ones, they range from 1935 to 1942 and 1 in 1945, but the majority (41 of them) are dated 1940-41.  

[Eds]

Uwe, Bruce , Rick and Mal

 

Thank you very much for the input 

 

Happy New Year!

 

VR

Ed