This IS a Guntō right?

[zeurel]

Hello Nihonto Message board!!

I had just bought a supposedly 19th century wakazishi with a signed nakago in it's initialled shirosaya from a very reputable military antiques auctioneer I've known for literally years now, only to realize that upon proper disassembly the marking that I thought was just some clan symbol in the lot photos is likely to be the ever common Shōwa stamp applied onto non - traditionally made Japanese swords (ergo; NOT a sword from the 1800s ) and not a very "well looking" stamp...the petals are not very pronounced like other photos which scares me more into thinking my go to auction house that prides itself on the authenticity just swindled me. So, before i write some email cursing the auction house to a damned eternity I'd just like to get a second opinion from anyone here, please take a look at the images below. Any input you have is unbelievably appreciated by me trying to figure this out. Thank you! (Also, sorry if the nakago pic is blurry I had to compress it to get it in the post!!)

[YourBabyBjornBorg]

Hi! This is signed by Yoshinao, a smith born in 1908 (or 1906), so......

 

Full signature is 関藤原義尚作 Seki Fujiwara Yoshinao Saku, "made by Fujiwara Yoshinao in Seki".

[Brian]

Indeed a non-traditionally made WW2 "Showato" sword. A lot of the value would have been in the fittings, this won't appeal to the militaria collectors So you have a user sword that is genuine WW2 but likely worth around max $500 or so?

[John C]

Conor"

You probably knew this already, however just in case, the kanji on the shirasaya are the same = Yoshinao.

 

John C. 

[Bruce Pennington]

Conor,

The stamp was only used between 1935 - 1942, so clearly not 19th century.  Most blades with the stamp were dated 1940-41.

[zeurel]

Hey guys, 

Cant thank everyone enough for the input!!! Concretely knowing its an actual real Showato is comforting, but still kinda sad to have seen it as a 19th cent. piece and it being otherwise, if i try reach out to the sellers or find out anything about the swordsmith and if its anything worth a post I'll be sure to do so. Again thanks for all the knowledge bestowed onto just a lowly Showato!!