Help with identifying Sword

[Ashbashryan67]

Good morning,

I own an estate sale company in St. Louis, Missouri, and I have come across the sword at one of my sales. The owner is since long passed and the nephew gave me that paper thinking this is what it is. I have googled many times and this is what Google and ChatGPT come up with. I was wondering if it is correct and if anyone knows what the value would be. Thank you very much.

 

Authentic 1600s Samurai Blade in WWII Japanese Officer Mounts

This is a rare, investment-grade piece of history. While it wears the rugged uniform of a World War II combat sword, the metal hidden inside is an authentic, hand-forged 400-year-old samurai heirloom blade.

 

 

 

🗡️ QUICK SPECIFICATIONS

• The Blade: Authentic, hand-forged folded steel (Tamahagane) with a visible, wavy frosty temper line (Hamon).
• The Swordsmith: Attributed by historical scabbard writing to Ise no Kami Fujiwara Kunitoshi, an elite master smith from the Early Edo Period (1600s) holding an imperial court title.
• The Combat Outfit: 100% original World War II Imperial Japanese Army late-war officer mounts (Showa Gunto).

 

 

 

📜 KEY FEATURES & PROVENANCE

• Three Centuries of History: This sword was taken out of a family shrine vault in the 1940s and refitted with tough military gear to protect a soldier on the battlefield.
• Inscribed Wooden Scabbard: Features traditional hand-carved calligraphy naming the historic samurai studio (Kan'untei - "The Pavilion that Pierces the Clouds") and a 20th-century family registry name (Tanaka Shirō).
• Original Battlefield ID Tag: Includes the actual wooden military surrender/inventory tag marked in ink with the officer's name (牧野 - Makino).
• Intact Combat Handle: Features the original late-war flat cloth wrap over the dark metal Imperial triple-cherry blossom ornaments.
• Bonus Materials: Comes complete with the original heavy leather combat hanging strap and vintage family research notes.

 

 

 

⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTE FOR COLLECTORS & BUYERS

• 100% Original Condition: The blade remains entirely uncleaned and unpolished to preserve its massive historic value. Do not touch the bare steel with bare fingers, as skin oils cause rust.
• High-Value Antique: This is a traditionally forged piece of antique art, not a cheap, mass-produced wartime factory weapon.

[YourBabyBjornBorg]

Hi! The writing on the scabbard is quite hard to read, the latter part is ...返却被下度("please give back" in old-timey Japanese), followed by the name 田中四郎 Tanaka Sirou.

 

Perhaps this would be a little easier to read in better lighting conditions?

 

Also, a picture of the tang ("Nakago") would be greatly appreciated.

 

(One can search "removing the tsuka" for instructions) 

[Brian]

Piece of paper and the sword in question are unrelated.
The sword you have is in mounts that are usually associated with better quality wartime blades. Sometimes star stamped traditionally made Gendaito. In this case, I actually hope it has the original Gendaito blade, as they can be nicer than an average out of polish antique blade. But you'll only know when you take it out of the mounts.
CHAT GPT is not a great source of info, and in fact can be irritating with its hyperbole. "...to preserve its massive historic value" is just plain silly.
Take off the handle and let's see what you have there. Not a treasure, but appears to be a nice sword. One of over a million wartime swords that ChatGPT deems to have massive historic value 
Hopefully you have a nice Gendaito worth $2000+
Btw...someone needs to inform the clueless AI that hundreds of thousands of nondescript antique blades were repurposed and purchased for low value during the war to outfit military swords. Not every antique blade was some family blade lovingly taken to war. 

[eternal_newbie]

11 minutes ago, Brian said:

One of over a million wartime swords that ChatGPT deems to have massive historic value

 

The secret here is that ChatGPT is optimized to give you the answer you're most likely to approve of (and thus keep using it). And that usually means telling you your sword is a national treasure, your idea is revolutionary, your book draft will usher in a new era of literature...

 

Sure, most swords were fungible works hastily slapped into whatever parts were on hand... but not yours, good sir, not yours at all!

[Ashbashryan67]

Thank you - do you know how to safely remove the handle? I tried to push in the tang but it doesn’t come out.  As you see it now what would you value it at?  
thank you. Trust me I know The AI crap sucks but sometimes it helps in my situation. However- this is why I’m on the board lol. Because I don’t trust it. The sale is this weekend so I need Answers. Thank you again! 

[nulldevice]

18 minutes ago, Ashbashryan67 said:

Thank you - do you know how to safely remove the handle? I tried to push in the tang but it doesn’t come out.  As you see it now what would you value it at?  
thank you. Trust me I know The AI crap sucks but sometimes it helps in my situation. However- this is why I’m on the board lol. Because I don’t trust it. The sale is this weekend so I need Answers. Thank you again! 

There are 2 screws/pegs on the handle of the sword. The top one below the handguard is a screw that can be removed with a screwdriver and then one more down in the lower 1/3rd of the handle. These are tapered and pop out 1 way and can be pushed out with a piece of wood or plastic. Once out the sword should come free from the handle but if it is still stuck, you can watch the below video for help. (Skip to around 6:30)

 

 

[Ashbashryan67]

34 minutes ago, eternal_newbie said:

 

The secret here is that ChatGPT is optimized to give you the answer you're most likely to approve of (and thus keep using it). And that usually means telling you your sword is a national treasure, your idea is revolutionary, your book draft will usher in a new era of literature...

 

Sure, most swords were fungible works hastily slapped into whatever parts were on hand... but not yours, good sir, not yours at all!

So are you saying it’s not old? I research items daily as I own This business but you don’t come across these items very often. Hence why I’m on this message board.  
Is that photo the nephew gave me not correct? Sorry for asking so many questions but I’m assuming everyone answering here is knowledgeable:)

thank you 

 

[eternal_newbie]

6 minutes ago, Ashbashryan67 said:

So are you saying it’s not old?

 

Just commenting on the veracity of ChatGPT and the like. I suspect the sword isn't as old as the AI thinks, but to be sure we'd need to have a shot of the exposed tang and maybe the entire naked blade in profile.

[Scogg]

9 minutes ago, Ashbashryan67 said:

Is that photo the nephew gave me not correct? Sorry for asking so many questions but I’m assuming everyone answering here is knowledgeable:)

thank you

The fittings are real, and WW2 era. The blade could be wartime, or older, but impossible to know until we can see the tang.

The photo that the nephew gave you shows a different sword in the image. Note how the piece of paper shows an image of a sword with a different style handle (look at the diamonds in the wrap pattern), and a different scabbard. 

[John C]

2 hours ago, Ashbashryan67 said:

knows what the value would be

Ashley:

Just an aside, the type 30 bayonet you have could be a late model version (need to see the quillion better), however the frog attached to the scabbard is probably worth as much as the bayonet if not more. Just something to keep in mind.

Also, I agree with everything said above - the paper and the sword do not go together, AI is useless when it comes to identifying swords, and we need to see the tang to make any kind of judgements as to maker and value.

 

John C.

[Ashbashryan67]

3 hours ago, John C said:

Ashley:

Just an aside, the type 30 bayonet you have could be a late model version (need to see the quillion better), however the frog attached to the scabbard is probably worth as much as the bayonet if not more. Just something to keep in mind.

Also, I agree with everything said above - the paper and the sword do not go together, AI is useless when it comes to identifying swords, and we need to see the tang to make any kind of judgements as to maker and value.

 

John C.

5 hours ago, YourBabyBjornBorg said:

Hi! The writing on the scabbard is quite hard to read, the latter part is ...返却被下度("please give back" in old-timey Japanese), followed by the name 田中四郎 Tanaka Sirou.

 

Perhaps this would be a little easier to read in better lighting conditions?

 

Also, a picture of the tang ("Nakago") would be greatly appreciated.

 

(One can search "removing the tsuka" for instructions) 

 

[Ashbashryan67]

I  will send better pictures of the sword tomorrow. These are the only pictures I have. I will Be back there tomorrow to price the house and take better photos. Thank you to everyone for the information so far! So much help:)

[John C]

Ashley:

Your bayonet is indeed the late war "last ditch" version charactrized by an unfullered blade, riveted slab wood grips, and straight guard. The mark is the later version from the Matsushita Metalworking Corp. 

With frog I would guess it would be worth 125-200 to the right collector.

 

John C.

[Bruce Pennington]

While we wait for better photos, I can tell you that the tsuka (handle) and tusba (hand guard) are of the contingency model variation of the Army officer sword.  No official nomenclature, but commonly called the Type 3 Army officer gunto.  The saya (scabbard) has been switched to this field saya, which was wood covered with leather.  The leather covers often go missing over the decades.  The style was designed in 1938, released to the public in 1940, but never got popular until 1943/44.

 

Like the guys said, that screw in the handle comes out easily, then you must tap/push the bamboo peg out.  I circled this side of it.  You'll want to push it out from the other side.  The other side may be under a section of wrap, but it's easy to slip something pointy under the wrap to push it.

Here is a picture of one of mine showing how to reach the peg:

 

The handle and guard will simply slide off once these two are removed.

[Ashbashryan67]

19 hours ago, John C said:

Ashley:

Just an aside, the type 30 bayonet you have could be a late model version (need to see the quillion better), however the frog attached to the scabbard is probably worth as much as the bayonet if not more. Just something to keep in mind.

Also, I agree with everything said above - the paper and the sword do not go together, AI is useless when it comes to identifying swords, and we need to see the tang to make any kind of judgements as to maker and value.

 

John C.

 

[Ashbashryan67]

13 hours ago, Bruce Pennington said:

While we wait for better photos, I can tell you that the tsuka (handle) and tusba (hand guard) are of the contingency model variation of the Army officer sword.  No official nomenclature, but commonly called the Type 3 Army officer gunto.  The saya (scabbard) has been switched to this field saya, which was wood covered with leather.  The leather covers often go missing over the decades.  The style was designed in 1938, released to the public in 1940, but never got popular until 1943/44.

 

Like the guys said, that screw in the handle comes out easily, then you must tap/push the bamboo peg out.  I circled this side of it.  You'll want to push it out from the other side.  The other side may be under a section of wrap, but it's easy to slip something pointy under the wrap to push it.

Here is a picture of one of mine showing how to reach the peg:

 

The handle and guard will simply slide off once these two are removed.

I  took both the screw and the peg at the bottom out and it still will not come off. 
any other suggestions?

[Bruce Pennington]

Ok, we do run into that now and then.  Problem is these often got dirty inside, or wet, and grit can hold the parts in place.  Also, sometimes the fit can be a little too tight where the nakago goes through the spacers/guard.  I wrap a thick cloth tightly around the blade, so I can grip it with my left hand, and use a rubber mallet, or block of wood, etc, to give a moderate 'whack' on alternating sides of the guard.  You won't hurt anything be doing this.  And you'll see that you are able to dislodge them so they will slide off.

[Scogg]

Good advice Bruce. Short of a rubber mallet, two chunks of wood can work good too. 

 

If the tsuka is stuck on the tang, avoid prying or applying excessive force. Instead, I like to use two small blocks of wood to help loosen it safely.

1. Place one block of wood firmly against the washers (seppa) and tsuba (guard).

2. Hold the sword securely and position the second block of wood against the first.

3. Using controlled, gentle taps, strike the first block with the second block to transfer force to the tsuba.

4. Continue tapping until you feel the tsuka "break free" or release from its seated position on the tang.

5. Once loosened, the tsuka should slide off much more easily by hand.
 

Take care to use only light, controlled impacts. Excessive force can damage the tsuka, tsuba, or other fittings.
Sorry it's been such a journey! But that's half the fun.
Best of luck and be careful.
-Sam

[Brian]

And aside from wiping off any loose or active rust, lightly...do NOT clean off any patina or stable rust off the tang. That is vital to the value of the sword.

[Ashbashryan67]

2 hours ago, Brian said:

And aside from wiping off any loose or active rust, lightly...do NOT clean off any patina or stable rust off the tang. That is vital to the value of the sword.

I  just found his declaration from the war on these items. I have A ton of his military items as well. 

[John C]

3 hours ago, Ashbashryan67 said:

declaration

These were issued for customs so that no unauthorized "war trophies" were being brought home. But swords were given out to soldiers by commanders as gifts by the dozens. Swords were even sold in the 8th Army PX after the war. This paper should stay with the group as provenance.

Also, a few posts up I gave you some additional information on the bayonet.

 

John C.

[Ashbashryan67]

3 hours ago, John C said:

These were issued for customs so that no unauthorized "war trophies" were being brought home. But swords were given out to soldiers by commanders as gifts by the dozens. Swords were even sold in the 8th Army PX after the war. This paper should stay with the group as provenance.

Also, a few posts up I gave you some additional information on the bayonet.

 

John C.

Thank you ! Stilll over here trying to get the blade out 🥴

[Ashbashryan67]

On 6/15/2026 at 12:43 PM, nulldevice said:

There are 2 screws/pegs on the handle of the sword. The top one below the handguard is a screw that can be removed with a screwdriver and then one more down in the lower 1/3rd of the handle. These are tapered and pop out 1 way and can be pushed out with a piece of wood or plastic. Once out the sword should come free from the handle but if it is still stuck, you can watch the below video for help. (Skip to around 6:30)

 

 

Writing on both sides 

[Ashbashryan67]

This is it! Writing on both sides.  Any information would be greatly appreciated! 

[nulldevice]

Its signed: 

 

兼継 - Kanetsugu

昭和十九年五月 - Showa 19th year, 5th month - May 1944

[Ashbashryan67]

17 minutes ago, nulldevice said:

Its signed: 

 

兼継 - Kanetsugu

昭和十九年五月 - Showa 19th year, 5th month - May 1944

Thank you so much. Would you be able to give me a round about price?  I’m guessing these were common? 
thank you so much 

[John C]

Marcus Sesko lists 3 Kanetsugu that use those particular kanji in that era.

All are listed as gunto smiths.

Value would depend on whether or not the sword is traditionally made. Are there any stamps at all that you can see above the signature or date?

If not, closer shots of the blade may give us a clue as to traditional or non-traditional.

 

If traditional, I would say 2000-2500 for the whole package (with bayonet and paperwork). If non-traditional, 1500-2000 for the whole package.

These are just estimates, of course, based on what we can see right now.

 

John C.

[Bruce Pennington]

Congrats, Ashely!  What was your technique for getting it off?

 

You might remove the hand guard and other parts to check for stamps near the top.

 

Oh, and just another example of how far the AI computers have before they can be relied upon concerning Japanese swords!