GEdwards

Thank you again! This is beyond expectations and I can not tell you how amazing it is to me to have this information from such a simple start. Thank You all for your help! Geoff Edwards

Thank you very very much for the quick responses. It gives me goosebumps knowing the name and general date of the making of this blade! If anyone has any more information on Endo Tomonari, I would love to hear it. Another general question if I may: is this a machine made blade? The 21 stamp on the edge of the tang is why I ask this question. It looks like it has a hamon which has me confused on the type of manufacture. LOL, yes...I am one of those types that want to know as much as possible. I've read a lot recently on these types of swords but definitely only enough to make myself dangerous.... Geoff Edwards

Hello all, I have recently started doing research on what appears to be a Late 1944 style Shin Gunto. The only history I have on the sword was that it was brought back to the US immediately following WWII by my grandfather who was a Staff Sergeant in the US Army. This sword has been passed down from my grandfather to my father and now to myself. I have no desire in selling this sword. Having respect of the culture that created it and appreciation for history, I would like to learn as much as I can of this sword so that I can provide it and the knowledge to my sons later in life. I can safely state that the sword has not been restored since coming to the US and has mostly been stored in closets since coming into our possession. I have taken pictures of the tang and attached them here for any help anyone can provide. Not being familiar with the writing, I have had a very hard time figuring out the mei signature or the date. Some characters are easily identified, but most are not. To be honest, besides from part of the date and the last character meaning 'saku', I've been unsuccessful at deciphering the signature and date. It does however bear the Jumei Tosho stamp (star). One thing to note on the mounting, although my understanding through research is that this style has two screws (mekugi) holding the same? to the tang, my particular blade only has one present. There is a second hole, but it does not appear that it ever had a screw in it. I do not know if that is significant or not, but an observation. I apologize for some of these pictures as my wife currently has our good digital camera. However, I can provide additional photos if needed or desired. Thanks in advance and I truly appreciate any help that can be provided. ------------------- Geoff Edwards Overall Album: http://s740.photobucket.com/albums/xx42 ... n%20Gunto/ Direct Pictures: http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx42 ... 00139a.jpg http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx42 ... 00137a.jpg http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx42 ... 00134a.jpg http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx42 ... 00133a.jpg http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx42 ... 00130a.jpg http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx42 ... 00128a.jpg http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx42 ... 00126a.jpg