Arsenal Stamps.

[Nazar]

This topic reminded me of my very first Japanese Navy dirk I bought on a local internet auction. It turned out to be assembly: saya from one dirk, blade from another and all other parts from third dirk. However, the habaki, the tsuka and all that in between belonged to one dirk and was made by Suya Shoten with every part marked 144.  Here are some photos.  

 

 

Initially I misread the scratches on habaki, reading them as IIIII + IIII, but looking closer I understood it's  X + IIII + IIII.

 

 

144 scratched on seppa and fuchi and painted on tsuka wood.

 

 

 

[John C]

8 hours ago, Bruce Pennington said:

use lower grade steel

This is what I was thinking as the most likely scenario. Running out of tamahagane so using "regular" sword steel.

 

John C. 

[BANGBANGSAN]

On 7/25/2026 at 7:32 AM, John C said:

@Bruce Pennington

Here's a slightly better comparison. I think it is a pretty good match. But I defer to you, Thomas, Trystan, and John for final analysis. Could be the first "special" one you have on record, correct?

Moving on the assumption this is a special consideration sword, the next question is why? Maybe not made from tamahagane or maybe just too long or heavy (it has some weight to it.) I'll do some measurements. 

 

In any case, there has to be some reason it would receive arsenal inspection marks but no star.

 

John C.

Here is  another 特 special marking on the tang.

 Per military inspection marking regulations, the designation 特 “Special” means: Adopted for special procurement pursuant to Article 11 of the Weapons Acceptance Inspection Regulations.

 

 

[John C]

2 hours ago, BANGBANGSAN said:

Article 11 of the Weapons Acceptance Inspection Regulations.

Thank you, Trystan. Would you happen to know what specific regs were contained in article 11 (and Clause 2)?

@Bruce Pennington Bruce: For your records, note that both stamps (Toku and 2) are on the mune as well. Two is not a pattern but we're getting there.

 

John C.

Edited 6 minutes ago by John C