Bruce Pennington

Awaiting the Big Guns translators - but don't expect much as the handwriting is pretty rough, and in 'cursive.' I see "72", probably a street house number.

Great post, Charles, and I appreciate that you bought this blade because of it's unique variance. There are several of us collectors who are almost more interested in the oddities than in the Normal. I checked the Nagamitsu Oshigata at Japaneseswordindex.com and see that he listed at least 3 Nagamitsu, and there are another 2 I can see under just "Nagamitsu" that are likely numbers 4 and 5. Sesko only shows 2 in the Showa era, but we know there were more than that. Yours being dated 1943 - we see several undocumented smiths operating in the last 2 years of the war that aren't found in the references. Thanks for bringing this up!

Still, it's part of the history of Japan moving to Western styled military and weapons. The police, forestry, prison, etc systems all used the same manufacturers that made all the military swords. Only difference was the emblems they used.

Yes, Your reference looks to have been from Fuller's earlier book. In his latest one, page 43, he says it is likely a superintendent sword: Another way to check is the sakura (flower) on the side 'ear' of the backstrap. If it is 5 petals (which is seems to be) then it's police.

Jakub, You have a Type 19 dress sword. They were not combat blades. Just worn for other occasions. I haven't read about this, and will have to research it, unless one of the other guys that study these can help out first. (hope so!) Interesting to see it had been painted black. We have many swords, of all types, that had been painted black and have no idea why they did it.

This version is usually made by the Seki Shoten Co. for the Nagoya Army Arsenal. If you look closely, you might see some partial stamps on the fuchi (steel collar on the handle where the locking latch begins). Not always visible, though. You can read more about the on Ohmura's site: NCO Gunto - 1935

Agreed. 1942 Autumn, Koa Isshin by Mantetsu. Serial "Ya 497". Recorded this one on sale by Jewelry & Coin on ebay last November 2025. Enjoy!

Could you show a couple of photos of the blade, showing blade tip, and hamon (temper pattern)? How about fittings?

John, Won't add to your survey, but I thought it interesting to maybe see a guy with a 25. Posted by @Nazar HERE.

Just - WOW!

John, Marcin - @Rawa - found this one on this Auction

I'll start with one I own. It's on a kyugunto. No idea of what company it came from. Any SuperSlouth internet guys out there that can find out?

I considered posting this on the Fittings Thread, but think it deserves it's own conversation, as I believe we will see several examples pop up, and the fittings thread is really about unusual examples of fittings. What got me interested is a Type 98 says with leather cover posted by steve88 over on this GMIC conversation. His snaps say "H.K.408 ... W.K.Bee" which is the "Wilkinson, Kaye & Beebee Ltd., a company based in Walsall, England. They were officially established around 1906 and were a major contractor for British military equipment during both World War I and World War II." - No One, GMIC. There was a little concern in the discussion that a Type 98 would have fittings made by a Brittish company, but I don't have any reservations about it being WWII period legit. I'd like to see other examples of English lettering on snaps, and hopefully come up with the shops that made them...... I know, mostly chasing ghosts ... but really - what else do we have to do!!!

I see they are into the 70,000 range now

Lorne, Looks like your longer sword is from WWII. 1940s vintage. The fittings are Type 98 Japanese officer fittings, but the saya (scabbard) is civilian. Since it matches the other saya, my guess is that a collector, along the years, fitted these two to make a 'matching pair.' The shorter sword, a wakizashi, looks older than WWII. You might try posting it in the Nihonto Forum with good, clear photos of the bare blade, and a couple close-ups showing the hamon (temper pattern) if you want an age evaluation. Does your title imply that you are trying to sell them? If so, the better place to post them, after you get your evaluations, is the For Sale or Trade: Swords and Edged Weapons section.

You can see the faint, faded blue of a company grade tassel in the bends. Seems legit, but strangely long tassel threads.

And maybe a partially struck shop logo in a diamond.

Handle sticking out, forward of the guy in upper right, with white wrapped hand.

Yes, like a favorite "Samurai STYLE sword". Avoids legal problems.

Agreed. Chinese made. This particular maker seems to always put serial numbers on the habaki (brass collar), which like John said is just one of the several things they get wrong about Japanese swords. Now, if they are just making a sword for China, the fine. But this maker often houses the blades in imitation WWII Japanese fittings. Yours is civilian fittings, so you could feel Ok keeping as such.

Yes, interesting! And I agree - shark. Seems more common in kaigunto than ray.

*Note to self - don't automatically assume poorly aligned diamonds in ito means poor post-war re-wrap* Good eye, John.

That's an interesting idea! Do we have something from them that ties the mark to their club? good question.

Hi Yonie! John's video should help you get the handle (tsuka) off. If you've removed the mekugi (bamboo peg) already and it's still stuck, you can get a rubber mallet or a block of wood and tap on the handguard (tsuba). They can get stuck from rust and debris. You won't harm anything by this. Be sure to tightly wrap the blade with tough cloth for gripping! General info: WWII Japanese officer sword (Type 98) with Company grade tassel (Lieutenants and Captains). You are asking for value and the market price can vary greatly depending upon what we see on the tang (nakago). A standard gunto runs around $900 - $1,400, but yours is missing the scabbard (saya) so look at the low end of the range. If the blade is something old, and/or signed by a popular smith, the value will double and even go higher, depending.

Hi Ed, At first glance, I thought the fabric tassel was all brown, but looking closer, I believe it is a very faded company grade tassel. The blues and reds of officer tassels can almost disappear when exposed to the elements for years. Man, that leather one is something I've never seen!