Navy

The fittings seem to be correct kai gunto parts, but all the gold finish is gone, among the ito and same colors. As suggested by Kiipu it looks like they have been treated with some chemical stuff. Do you have a pic of the nakago without habaki, in the area of machi?

Why "marine" sword?

Yes, a good one, with a poorly struck s/n or (maybe) a buffed blade. Serial # range and placement are consistent with Nagoya swords, take also a pic of the fuchi, there are some markings under the paint.

Hi Tristan, you have a nice, original WW2 sword. About if she's nihonto or not, and I surely can be wrong, to me the hamon seems to indicate oil quenched.

Hi all; I'm looking for sarute and sarute barrel for 98 gunto. Better if within EU. Thanks.

Could also be silver.

"Showato" means a sword made during the Showa empire, thus including WW2 era, but among collectors it labels a non traditionally made blade, while "gendaito" a traditionally made one (use of tamahagane, hand forged and water quenched). And it makes a substantial difference.

To me too is a legit Japanese sword. But without better pics is hard to say if traditional made or not, or evaluate the period in which has been produced.

I'm sorry, but this sword has all the features of a Chinese repro.

Oddly he doesn't hand the sword in the formal, respectful way...

Bruce, do you think the blades were leftovers of WW2 production or, rather, newly made for the souvenir market?

Aren't the menuki of the Army style?

Personally, I would make my choose evaluating the overall condition of the sword: better a good, healty showato with quality koshirae than a (maybe) gendaito out of polish and with battered fittings... Unless you find a very appreciated swordsmith, worthing the expensive polish of the blade, but it appears not to be the case. If you can provide some pics of the "candidates", it will be easy to judicate.

Having one, check carefully the Yoshimitsu. Mine was issued with a torokusho but, while being a nice blade, once had a Seki stamp that has been erased, probably in order to pass the Japanese laws on non-traditional made swords.

Ah, perfect 👍 This one is just few hundreds numbers apart. Thanks to you all for sharing your knowledge, and of course thanks also on behalf of the owner.