Police Sword With Traditional Blade - Strange Stamp/mei

[william m]

Hi all,

 

I recently bought a lovely little police sword with a traditional blade from a forum member.  Link to sword pic. 

Last night I disassembled the sword and found this strange mei hiding under the habaki and am wondering if anybody has any insight into this?

 

 

 

Interestingly I found this exact same Mei on a very simliar looking sword belonging to a chap on another forum. The mounts and length were almost identical with the only difference being that the Mei on his sword was above the habaki, while mine was hiding underneath.

 

Quote:  George Wheeler: The character is the same as that found in a two character Kami (God) stamp on page 82 of Fuller & Gregory. That stamp is listed as "...significance unknown. Very rare."

 

 

George's sword with the same mei/arsenal stamp

 

 

[lonely panet]

its and inspectors mark. don't know whos. but sometimes found on type 25s

[william m]

Well that makes sense! Shame it wasn't something more exciting but thanks for the reply.

[Peter Bleed]

Isn't that the Japanese Post Office Crest?

Peter

[Jon MB]

Probably not

[Peter Bleed]

I checked and came to the same conclusion, Jon.

P

[william m]

I spoke to my Japanese colleague and he says that the character by itself doesn't mean anything but he thinks it could mean something like "present" or "show".