Any information on this would be appreciated

[blueblue]

https://imgur.com/a/714fEyz

 

hello. Looking for information on this sword.

thank you

[eternal_newbie]

Not much we can tell with such small photographs, unfortunately. The WWII-era fittings at least look like they might be legit but we won't be able to discern much about the sword without some higher resolution shots (preferably with the tang out of the handle).

 

Maybe you'll get lucky and one of the WWII sword experts on here will recognize something at a glance.

[blueblue]

5 minutes ago, eternal_newbie said:

Not much we can tell with such small photographs, unfortunately. The WWII-era fittings at least look like they might be legit but we won't be able to discern much about the sword without some up close shots (preferably with the tang out of the handle).

https://imgur.com/a/714fEyz

[eternal_newbie]

 

3 minutes ago, blueblue said:

https://imgur.com/a/714fEyz

 

"The requested page could not be found".

 

Looks like it's the same as the old link, did you copy and paste it correctly?

[blueblue]

https://ibb.co/201kG8w0
https://ibb.co/sJqNcFSX
https://ibb.co/nNjvwbqz
https://ibb.co/KcR0DtjZ
https://ibb.co/pBdLfnhH
https://ibb.co/dwz0zvty
https://ibb.co/twWP1Q3s

[Scogg]

Hello Blue, is that your name? We do ask members to use at least a first name so we can address one another politely. We're old school like that 

 

As Rohan mentioned above, there’s unfortunately very little we can determine from the photos. For more info, you’ll need to share clear images of the tang (nakago) and the blade removed from all of its fittings.

That said, based on what is visible, you appear to have a World War II era Type 98 Shin-guntō. Notable features include a scabbard with a leather combat cover, what looks to be a surrender tag (the white cloth with writing), and a company-grade blue/brown officer’s tassel. At first glance, everything appears consistent with genuine WWII-period components.
 

Seeing the tang is critical. Swords mounted in WWII fittings like yours can house:

1. An arsenal-made blade.

2. A traditionally made wartime blade.

3. A traditionally made older antique blade (often referred to as a “family blade”).

4. Or something else entirely .

The blade and the mounts are two separate components of a WW2 Japanese sword, and the tang will reveal a great deal about the blade part.

Best of luck,
-Sam

[blueblue]

18 minutes ago, Scogg said:

Hello Blue, is that your name? We do ask members to use at least a first name so we can address one another politely. We're old school like that 

 

As Rohan mentioned above, there’s unfortunately very little we can determine from the photos. For more info, you’ll need to share clear images of the tang (nakago) and the blade removed from all of its fittings.

That said, based on what is visible, you appear to have a World War II era Type 98 Shin-guntō. Notable features include a scabbard with a leather combat cover, what looks to be a surrender tag (the white cloth with writing), and a company-grade blue/brown officer’s tassel. At first glance, everything appears consistent with genuine WWII-period components.
 

Seeing the tang is critical. Swords mounted in WWII fittings like yours can house:

1. An arsenal-made blade.

2. A traditionally made wartime blade.

3. A traditionally made older antique blade (often referred to as a “family blade”).

4. Or something else entirely .

The blade and the mounts are two separate components of a WW2 Japanese sword, and the tang will reveal a great deal about the blade part.

Best of luck,
-Sam

Hello Sam. My name is Darcy.

thanks for the information you gave me.

is it disrespectful to remove the handle? My grand father took it from a Japanese fighter when the war ended in one of the pacific islands.

[eternal_newbie]

16 minutes ago, blueblue said:

is it disrespectful to remove the handle?

Not at all, this was regularly done as part of the routine maintenance process for Japanese swords. Just don't be too rough.

[Scogg]

33 minutes ago, blueblue said:

Hello Sam. My name is Darcy.

thanks for the information you gave me.

is it disrespectful to remove the handle? My grand father took it from a Japanese fighter when the war ended in one of the pacific islands.

A pleasure Darcy! Welcome to the forum. 

I totally understand your reluctance to dismantle it. I myself, owned an old katana for nearly 20 years before I had the courage to take it apart; due to my reverence for history and my grandfather who gave it to me; also inexperience with Japanese swords. You are not alone in that hesitation!

But like Rohan said, it's totally safe, and normal to take it apart. My advice would be to take some good photos beforehand, so you can be sure to re-assemble it correctly. (sometimes people mix-up the seppa (washers around the guard). Be very careful, and understand it might be a little "stuck" after being mounted that way for ~80 years. Just go slow, and be careful.

Kind of a long video, but worth watching before you try:
(Skip to the 6:30 mark, for disassembly of a sword in fittings)
 

 

[blueblue]

17 hours ago, Scogg said:

A pleasure Darcy! Welcome to the forum. 

I totally understand your reluctance to dismantle it. I myself, owned an old katana for nearly 20 years before I had the courage to take it apart; due to my reverence for history and my grandfather who gave it to me; also inexperience with Japanese swords. You are not alone in that hesitation!

But like Rohan said, it's totally safe, and normal to take it apart. My advice would be to take some good photos beforehand, so you can be sure to re-assemble it correctly. (sometimes people mix-up the seppa (washers around the guard). Be very careful, and understand it might be a little "stuck" after being mounted that way for ~80 years. Just go slow, and be careful.

Kind of a long video, but worth watching before you try:
(Skip to the 6:30 mark, for disassembly of a sword in fittings)
 

 

https://ibb.co/KjxpTByZ
https://ibb.co/q3YDj9bf
https://ibb.co/7J2qcs1J
https://ibb.co/yFxS2wRz
 

 

[mecox]

@blueblue    Darcy,  looks to be a well made WW2 oil tempered blade, from a well trained smith.

The mei reads:   Noshu Seki ju nin Kojima Kanenori kin saku        濃州関住人小島兼則謹作     Respectfully made by Kojima Kanenori a resident of Seki.

Family name Kojima, smith name Kanenori.      He worked in Seki City in Gifu.   It has a Seki stamp showing made around 1942-43.  See NMB Downloads

 

se

 

[blueblue]

2 minutes ago, mecox said:

@blueblue    Darcy,  looks to be a well made WW2 oil tempered blade, from a well trained smith.

The mei reads:   Noshu Seki ju nin Kojima Kanenori kin saku        濃州関住人小島兼則謹作     Respectfully made by Kojima Kanenori a resident of Seki.

Family name Kojima, smith name Kanenori.      He worked in Seki City in Gifu.   It has a Seki stamp showing made around 1942-43.

 

 

Thank you

[ROKUJURO]

Blueblue,

please sign all posts with at least a first name plus an initial, so we can address you politely. You can also show your name in your profile. This is requested here on the NMB forum.

[Scogg]

Hi @blueblue, Darcy,

Thank you for the photos of the tang. You have an interesting WW2 non traditionally made blade. I would read into care and maintenance on this website to help preserve your item for future generations.
https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/faq/1-care-and-maintenance/

Now that we know it's all WW2 era, both fittings and blade, I'm going to relocate this thread to the "military swords of Japan" section, and delete that other one. 

Very nice sword, and thank you for sharing with us. 
All the best,
-Sam

[mecox]

@blueblue    Darcy, I looked at the surrender tag, and not sure if an interesting story here.

Right column:   NAGATOMI BUTAI   長富　部隊    looks to be military group (butai).    Does this mean an infantry group commanded by an officer Nagatomi?

Left column:  ISHII TAII  石井　大尉　 owners name       Ishi = family name    Taii = rank    (captain) 　I think these are correct, but need confirmation.