WWii Japanese samurai sword identification

[Mrbacon]

Hello.  I picked up a couple of wwii Japanese Samurai Swords at an estate sale the other day.  I could definitely use some help identifying exactly what it is, what the writing says, and curious as to what it may be worth.  I would greatly appreciate any response.

[Ray Singer]

Noshu ju Fujiwara Masatsune. Appears to be a WWII showato arsenal blade. 

 

Best regards, 

Ray 

[Geraint]

Dear James.

 

You have posted images of two swords, does the signature relate to the one in the metal scabbard/saya?  If so then there appears to be a small stamp above the signature which confirms that it is a WWII blade, as Ray has already suggested.

The other sword with the leather covered scabbard/saya and the pierced guard/tsuba is perhaps rather different, do you have an image of the tang/nakago for that one?

 

All the best.

[Bruce Pennington]

Hi James!

Like Geraint asked, could you remove the handle (tsuka) of the second sword and show the signature?

 

The first, made by Masatsune was likely made around 1940-41.  The small stamp is the Showa inspection stamp of the Seki Cutlery Manufacturers Association and not an Army arsenal stamp.  Yours looks like it has a nice hamon (temper pattern)!  These swords vary from market to market, but on average are worth around $1,200-1,400.  The same can be said about your second sword, unless we see that it was traditionally made, which would drive the price up higher around $2,000ish.

 

Good page for caring for your swords: Japanese Sword Care - Japaneseswordindex.com