GeorgeLuucas Posted April 17 Report Share Posted April 17 Saw this listed and was curious about what it is exactly. (Not my photos) Said to be signed “Fujiwara Yoshiomi” on the listing. Looks to be a non-traditionally made WW2 showato with showa stamp. Never seen a seppa lock like that, and the saya looks unfamiliar to any WW2 sword I’ve seen. Is this a mismatched piece-together? Or perhaps a super late war sword? @Bruce Pennington? I’ll pm the link to the auction if requested. All opinions welcome, Cheers, -Sam 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John C Posted April 17 Report Share Posted April 17 Seems to be a corresponding pin on the fuchi as well. Could it have been part of a gunzoku kit? John C. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Pennington Posted April 17 Report Share Posted April 17 Did they have a photo of the whole thing fully assembled? If so, how about posting one, or posting the link so I can go look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeLuucas Posted April 17 Author Report Share Posted April 17 They did not unfortunately. I’d also love to see it assembled Link sent in a message 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tensho Posted April 18 Report Share Posted April 18 I've never seen one like it, although there has been a lot of "interesting" gunto koshirae coming out of Japan recently. I'm curious whether the saya is wood or metal, there seems to be a outline of a missing reinforcement band on the saya. The hanger is also mounted for the blade to be worn edge up. Its possible it got swapped around though. I have also not seen a hanger quite like that. The tsuka is also strangely carved away to fit the fuchi? Either ways its an interesting piece. Seems like a bit of work to go with this mod instead of a simple snap button and leather combat cover. Thanks for posting. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Pennington Posted April 18 Report Share Posted April 18 13 hours ago, Tensho said: The hanger is also mounted for the blade to be worn edge up. Good eye, didn't notice that before! This is the third one I've seen this year mounted that way, though I don't recall what type of fittings the other 2 were. Smith is Yoshiomi, and the Showa stamp should mean the blade was made in '40-41 plus or minus. So if these are late-war fittings, which they seem to be, the blade must have been re-fitted into this. The alternating folds of the tsuka indicate it was Japanese made. Many of the low quality fittings we see from occupied territories have the Chinese style folding, going one direction. I'd guess this was something done in the last year of the war. Working from memory, I believe both Dawson and Fuller have examples of creative variations that this item would fit quite naturally in with. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PNSSHOGUN Posted April 19 Report Share Posted April 19 For those playing at home, this is a similar latch concept as used on Navy Kyu Gunto: 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonely panet Posted April 19 Report Share Posted April 19 That would be annoying having that flop around while in use 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeLuucas Posted April 19 Author Report Share Posted April 19 Thanks for the input y’all. The auction ends today and it will be interesting to see what it sells for. Bruce, you got my nose into my books this morning. Maybe it’s a variation of one of these in Jim Dawsons book, perhaps? Page 280* 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Pennington Posted April 19 Report Share Posted April 19 Good example, Sam. The polished wood work on that one in Dawson's book looks quite like the OP saya wood. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeLuucas Posted April 19 Author Report Share Posted April 19 Sold at $455 + $24.75 shipping 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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