reeder

I did have quite an extensive Japanese bayonet collection at one point, but it's been a while. The scabbard looks like the scabbard found on the Navy Special iirc. I'll pull out Labar's Japanese Bayonet book in the morning and confirm. In the meantime you can try Googling "Japanese Navy Special Bayonet" and see if it matches up. This is an example where the parts are worth more than the whole.

i know of 1 other although I have not seen it, just discussed it. I did some digging back then and came up empty handed. The quote provided is meaningless for mantetsuto. The length was quite uniform at 26 1/4". The wakizashi must have been special orders or gifts. More rare than the SMR stamped blades?!

Well, I picked one up from Mitsuhiro's father, Hidehiro in Type 3 mounts. I believe the date is 2602 so 1942. This is also the earliest dated blade I can recall seeing in Type 3 mounts. Sorry if the pictures come out sideways on the computer, they were uploaded from my phone.

Mantetsu - 1943

Steve, thank you very much. It definitely is Hisatsugu. I was not provided pictures of the entire signature and assumed the cut off character was Saku.

All I've got is Noshi Ju ? ? Taka? Hisa Saku.

Pictures attached. From what I understand he did not make many blades during the war given he was only 19 by the war's end. Thanks George for the information.

That's always a nice surprise! Would love to see the whole blade.

Ray, that is a friend of a friends Mantetsu he had polished. It was a 1939 Koa Isshin.

Seen these seppa on a number of original Mantetsu blades, no surprises or worries there. Blade is just out of polish and someone will have to sink the money into polish. 1941 is a good year for Mantetsu though.

Bruce, think of it this way, showa, seki, naval anchor, etc are arsenal acceptance stamps while the others are arsenal logo stamps. Still arsenal stamps.

Grey, search the forum, I think this one was already translated a few years back. I was looking for it as well when it was posted on eBay. Nice buy if we're talking about the same sword. Here you are - http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/15860-kato-tsunahide/?fromsearch=1

I'm pretty sure one of the local "museums" is just a guy and his collection running it through a non-profit organization. That and he convinces people to give him money, swords, guns, etc related to the pacific to "keep it going" and for display. I've tried to set up an appointment to check it all out as they have some neat stuff, but they never respond.

From what I understand only Yamakami Munetoshi & Akihisa used the Matsu stamp. Anyways, check this post out by George - http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/8546-survey-of-gunto-contract-numbers/- Looks like both forms of "Toshi" were used by this smith.

I think you're ok with this sword daddy cool. All looks good to me.

Nice sword. The Matsu stamp was used by him and his brother, Akihisa.

Brian, I've seen 2. Here's one http://www.samuraisword.com/nihonto_c/SOLD/Kanehide/ The other was a star stamped Kanenori I posted here for some help a few years ago when I was helping a museum. I know I sent pics to Chris and will post if I can find them. In re: to this sword, kanemune generally made low grade swords. The stamp is the "na" stamp iirc. I've owned about a half dozen by Kanemune over the years and never saw one that would have been considered gendai.

Maybe they're just that much shorter that the swords look like standard sized Gunto .

I was thinking soshu as well but late koto or Shinto. My pictures and lighting certainly do not help any. I'll try again in the other room.

That's what it looks like - http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/6493-mei-assistance/ Here's the other thread by Brian w/ some blade pics to compare the activity - http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/6628-iwami-yoshikoyo-gendaito/

ShoShin KoBuseGitae Masafusa Saku Shingane Iri Kokuin/seal/stamp If you have Slough's, see page 98.

Picked up a Gunto w/ an older blade and have something new to study now. Just thought I'd share some pictures. Please excuse the poor photography skills. The nagasa is 27".

Many thanks guys. I was at a show without my reference material.

I think it's Etchu No kami Hiro... any help or confirmation is appreciated.

Not all were necessarily truly "family blades." Some could have been purchased for the war rather than purchasing other blades. also, height, tastes, money, and preference all had a role in choosing a sword I imagine. I have 2 Wakizashi in gunto mounts and just sold a third I decided against polishing. All have had standard length tsukas, maybe a hair shorter than what is seen on katana length gunto. 1 has a tsuba with a loop/latch (mumei blade). 1 had pierced tsuba (mumei blade). And the other has a solid tsuba (signed muneyoshi iirc). 2 have metal gunto scabbards that are slightly shorter than normal, 2 (or 3) had mon, 1 had a wooden scabbard with type 98 throat, ashi, etc. seen a few others. Even heard of a Kao Isshin mantetsu Wakizashi, but did not get to see it.