Bruce Pennington

I have a nagging memory that I posted these already somewhere, but cannot recall where that was, but in an article written by Richard Fuller, he's included several pictures of enlisted men, some quite low in rank, with Type 98 swords. Here are a couple from his article: Superior Private 1st Class Private 1st or Superior Private

Yes, that happened a lot during the war, on both sides, officer and enlisted.

@nulldevice Chandler, sorry for interrupting the conversation, but do you know which Hon'ami this appraiser is? I don't have access to the Sesko book on it, right now.

Here's a Sgt Major. Posted by @Krzysio

Interesting, Kris! This guy is a Sergeant Major:

I could see why you thought it might be a stamp, John. Guess Josh settled that one, though, with it in hand. Josh, If you haven't seen Ohmura's site, it's worth going through. Full of fabulous photos of all the WWII versions of swords. After reading his pages, you'll have a better idea of how legit gunto look and can avoid the fakes. Military Swords of Japan - Ohmura

A Meiji era tassel for both Field and Company grade officers. I had read about them, but never seen one. All black, round cord, leather tassel either painted or rubberized.\ Found on this Auction.

I remember yours, Gerry. No serial number, which fits a couple of the Takanobu blades. Unusual, though, as it is a Koa. I only have 4 other '44 blades with Koa Isshin and they are all in the last series of the year.

I agree, I don't think it was Japanese made.

Excellent example of an NCO tassel that has had the end 'cap' undone, or never crimped at all. Found by Marcin, @Rawa:

Here's a Type 95 with both yellow and orange cords. Found on this Zevantiques auction.

Ernie @Stegel has one (or is it 2) coppers with original brass-ended saya with what appears to be original welded-on drags. I don't recall serial numbers, but he believes them to be possible transitions to the newer styled saya with drag.

Sesko uses 'omi' "YOSHIOMI (義臣), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Yoshiomi” (義臣), real name Takeyama Kazuo (武山数男), born April 3rd 1910, he was the younger brother of Yoshinao (義尚) and worked as guntō smith, ryōkō no retsu (Akihide)"

Gerry, Was yours a Winter 1942 blade, too? I have this and another on file, both signed as "Takanobu quenched".

Yes, the all-leather covered wooden tsuka/saya look seems to be common in the island swords. I don't know S.E. Asian styles, but the fuchi/koiguchi art strikes me as Thailand'ish.

Well, you know my default setting is to assume the best unless it's obvious, like some of the fakes truly are. But you may be right. But for a fake, it's an odd one. They must have used some real parts, like the koiguchi (perfect) and tsuka wooden parts (ever see workman's writing on the end of a fake tsuka?). The ito looks new, yet most metal parts appear heavily worn. The same' looks new. The undrilled sarute ana doesn't bother me, by itself as we've seen this on other legit gunto. The blade and kissaki are better than most fakes, but the nakago, while much better than most fakes, is still off. Drew, it's your sword. Guess you'll have to decide what you want to call it.

Posting the nakago from the sale:

Hi Steve, welcome! Ian is right. Yours originally came with a leather saya (scabbard) cover) and a belt loop hanger. They often go missing after the war. You can see how it would have looked on this page on Ohmura's site: Type 98 Informal Mounts, Sesko listed two Kaneshige working during the war, so don't know which was your guy: "KANESHIGE (兼重), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Ise – “Fujiwara Kaneshige” (藤原兼重), he lived in Kuwana (桑名) KANESHIGE (兼重), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Kumamoto – “Higo-jū Kaneshige” (肥後住兼重), “Kaneshige” (兼重), family name Kimura (木村) but it is said that Kaneshige had been his first name too, he lived in Yatsushiro (八代), the Kimura had been smiths in the service of Higo’s Hitoyoshi fief (人吉藩) since the Edo period, Kaneshige studied from 1942 under Kurihara Akihide (栗原昭秀) and worked then as a guntō smith until the end of World War II (see picture right)" Care and Cleaning: Japanese Sword Care.

Andrew, I can't add anything about the tag that hasn't already been said, but would love to see more of the kaigunto, fittings, blade, and nakago! There are guys on a couple other forums that know how to look up WWII personnel. Try Warrelics - Japanese Militaria and Wehrmacht-awards - Japanese Military Forum

John, What do you think of this one? The angled hand guard makes me think 25. But I think there are two lines of wire wrap visible. But then the angled hand guard wouldn't make sense for a 19 or kyu. Posted on this Warrelics thread.

Edokko just posted this thought: "The Sgt. Maj. would have used the blue/brown tassel as his rank would be qualified as a 准士官 ("sort of" translates to warrant officer) by 1940."

Thanks Steve! So, Drew, a real Japanese sword, WWII fittings, with gimei signature. Are you familiar with the practice of gimei?

Here are some shots from Perry's link. Nicer fittings, but lost the field grade tassel!

Hi Perry, welcome! Yes, that finish is an upgrade to the standard contingency model (Type 3, etc). You'll almost always see a gendaito, and quite often RJT star-stamped blade in them. This one is made by an RJT smith Akihisa, Jan 1943, with the Matsu 607 serial number. I have that one on file already from Oct of 2024 sold by St. Croix blades. Interesting, though, someone has switched the fittings.

Hi Drew, welcome to NMB! I see no problem with the fittings. My guess is that someone tried to bring out the hamon with an acid wash. Doesn't mean it's a fake blade, though. Let's see what the translators say about that mei. @SteveM @Nobody