reeder

Thanks, Steve. Morita-San, yes sir. Going to look at it later this week. The blade looks like it needs a fresh polish and fittings are lower quality late war Type 98. Going to see in hand how good or bad the blade really is, I know a lot of folks have a touch taking photos of blades, me included.

Looking at a Joshu masakane gunto and the other side is signed with what is either Naishin-Maru or naichika-Maru but not sure what the translation is. Someone thought maybe the name of the sword? I originally thought a different dating system. Anyways, help would greatly be appreciated.

Picked up a Takeuchi Kanemitsu with leather combat cover on scabbard and leather cover on the handle. I'm very happy with it. Couldn't find much on the smith other than what's in Slough's. This does not have a star stamp unless for some reason hiding under the Habaki which I doubt. Filing on the nakago is very nicely done.

Thanks, that's great advice just to make sure they got it or not.

Steve, thank you very much. I am passing along the information. Hopefully it gets sorted out sooner than later.

I recently shipped 2 swords (1 package) to Australia that totaled over $1000 on 8/8. They hit Australia 8/14 and have been "Held in Customs" in Melbourne since 8/15. I shipped via USPS priority mail international in which I've never had any problems until this time. Have had stuff held up in customs in Australia for a week or so, but never pushing 3 weeks. I know if I contact USPS I'll get the "it's out of our hands and in their customs... Nothing we can do" shpeel. On the customs form I declared each sword as "Antique sword for display." I've tried to let time work it all out but now it seems like it's gone beyond a reasonable inspection time. Any website or number I can refer to buyer to to get things moving along? TIA.

It's in Dawson's NCO section... This is the variation 2a as they refer to it. I just sold one myself. This seller has sold a lot of swords, especially NCOs, think 2-4 copper handled NCOs over the years.

Welcome! I'm either missing the picture of the signature or it is not posted so I cannot comment on the translation. Yes, it does look like an older sword remounted in WW2 Type 98 Shin-Gunto mounts w/ leather combat cover. Yes, it looks like an older handmade blade to me. If the tassel came with the sword I would not have any reason to doubt its authenticity, some of the repros seem scary good, I surely can't tell the difference. It's your sword, if you like the leather combat cover, keep it on, if not, take it off. You can see the outline of the fittings near the bottom of the scabbard, I would imagine the scabbard is just fine. Longer swords are generally more desired, but length does not necessarily compromise quality. Some people like the vet personalized look, others don't. If you like it, I wouldn't pay any attention to how others feel about it. Overall, it looks like a nice, clean example. Far better than my first sword.

No clue who polished it. A friend sent me pics of it saying he stumbled across pics somewhere and it's why he liked early mantetsus.

Found the pictures of the Mantetsu.

Also with Stephen on this one.

Looks like one of the late war naval swords that's a mix between naval and army mounts. Some say late war navy, some say post war put togethers from parts. You can probably search Ebay completed listings for late war naval swords and find plenty to compare it to.

It happens. I just don't bother anymore.

I'm sure we'll see a lot listed soon.

I believe being well documented helps people get excited over them. Also, the Manchuria ordeal helps. The international sword (gunto, can't really speak on pre-Showa period blades) market is being driven by a few buyers in a particular country that may also be contributing to the higher prices related to Mantetsu-to given the direct connection to history and more disposable income from a decade of rapid economic growth. I've owned 4-5 Mantetsu-to but never one in excellent condition, all were used and worn. In all cases, I got more for them than what I see some nice Gendaito go for. I remember 2-4 years ago (my timing could be off, seems as I get older the years go by quicker), mint Mantetsu-to were selling $1500-$1600 range then it just doubled over night it seems. If you notice, the earlier ones sell for quite a bit more than the later ones (ones that don't have "Koa Isshin"). I did see a fairly early one that had a fresh polish and it was loaded with hada. Wish I had saved the pictures, but unfortunately I did not.

Mumei. Sorry if the pics keep posting sideways, uploading from my phone.

I've seen a few with mon on the Fuchi, but this is the first I've owned. It has an older blade that has a temper similar to those found on Nagamitsu blades.

I saw him commenting on Chris's Facebook group recently. Maybe try to contact him that way?

Looks good to me.

Guess I'll try to keep it going. ive seen better and I've seen worse, but I like it. Blade is older mumei, Nagasa about 24". Has remnants of a surrender tag taped to the spine of the tsuka.

Looks like Kanefusa.

I used to use a site for searching mon, but now it crashes my computer if it happens to work. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Kajiyama Yasunori (1939). Not the best pictures, still trying to learn how to use the camera and get good lighting and angles. The sword was scored low to mid 70s iirc at last week's shinsa with the NTHK-NPO, a friend still has the worksheet...

Thanks for working so hard on the event. From what I've read, it seems like many folks were very pleased both with the show and the results on their blades.

Hope everyone is having a good time.