Bruce Pennington

One thing I love about alcohol, is that after 2 shots on an empty stomach, I'm able to tap into that emotional side that isn't easily accessable under normal circumstances. So, today, it hit me how much I really am blessed with a vast array of freinds from all over the globe. In pursuit of this hobby, I've met people, thanks to the internet, that are becoming a regular part of my life, and whom I really enjoy "hanging out" with. I'm humbled to have casual conversations with Famous People like Nick Komiya, Bob Coleman, and Chris Bowen (I know .... they're just dudes like the rest of us, but REALLY good at the sword-thing), and honored to be a part of this large group of collectors. I'd name names, but I'm afraid I'd miss someone and hurt somebody's feelings. So to all, I appreciate your companionship and your love of the hobby & craft. Too often, we wait until the funeral to talk about people in our lives that mean something to us. So, just in case I get hit by the proverbial Truck tomorrow -- I really love you guys (OK, I SAID IT!!!) [Note to self: If I DON'T get hit by the Truck tomorrow, be sure to edit this post with more tough-guy talk]

Matt, it’s not uncommon to see non-matching sets. As to no number at all, I have a copper-handled 95 whose saya has no numbers. It’s the right saya for a copper and a perfect fit. No way to know how that happens, but my theory is battle damage to the original saya, and factory or field repair team replaced.

Brian, That IS causing a lot of confusion for many people. PLUS, there are "small" and "large" Seki stamps that appear on the nakago like this one on a current thread: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/25216-n%C3%B4sh%C3%BB-j%C3%BB-kanetoshi-%E6%BF%83%E5%B7%9E%E4%BD%8F%E5%85%BC%E4%BF%8A-star-and-seki-stamp-on-the-blade/ This one is unusual because it is on the "date" side of the nakago

I would like to re-open this discussion. I've recently seen blades that were appearently gentdaito, but with a large Seki stamp above the smith's name. There are also a few Star-stamped blades with small Seki stamps (mine is on the nakago mune, and another I've seen recently was put on the "date" side of the nakago). The discussions are evolving to claim that one size Seki is found on gendaito, while the other size stamp is on non-traditionally made showato. From my observations and reading, I believe the issue is messy because of the history of the stamp. Originally, it was used by the Seki Swordmith guild. It was later hyjacked by the Kokura/Nagoya arsenal inspectors for non-traditionally made blades. So, as I understand it, there are blades out there from both groups. The question remains- is there definitive evidence to indicate one size is from the Guild and the other from IJA arsenals? My starting hypothesis is: Large Seki stamp - guild stamp; possible gendaito. Small stamp: COMPLICATED - small stamp on "name" side for showato, but anywhere else (like on Star-stamped blade nakago mune or "date" side) for gendaito. Thoughts/examples guys?

Tommy, The handles can resist coming off. The seppa (spacers on both sides of the handguard) sometimes are fitted really tightly, or corrosion/dirt can build up causing a resistance. Either way, you won't harm the fittings by convincing them to come off. I start by grabbing both sides of the handguard (tsuba) and try rocking it one side, then the other. If that doesn't work, tapping with a rubber mallet always does the trick.

Klaus, The Seki stamp, to me, is the most confusing one of them all. The Seki group of smiths started out as a "guild", to use the english word and were using this stamp. I have not read HOW they were using it (gendaito/showato/etc?). But once the military arsenals hyjacked it as an instpector stamp, things got messy. They guys above, seem to have the system down, and it fits what we are seeing on some blades, like the one in your link. I have a Star-stamped Kunitoshi with a small Seki on the nakago mune. The one in your link is peculiar, as the Seki is on the "date" side of the nakago. Maybe small Seki stamps anywhere BUT on the "name" side is a guild mark? where a large Seki on the "name" side is a military inspector mark indicating non-traditionally made? Seems to fit.

Kaka (interesting name in Spanish!), There is a "Seki" stamp above the mekugi hole, so it's made during WWII. If there is not date kanji on the other side, the exact year is a guess, but yes, probably 1940 or later. The Seki stamp appears to be the larger size. A small one means the blade is made in a non-traditional way, but the larger ones can be found on traditionally made blades. No guarantee, though, on that issue. Either way, you've got a nice WWII Japaese officer sword there!

Neil, my good man. I can see that this inconsistancy is troubling you greatly! In a totally selfless act, I propose you mail one of them to me, thereby removing the conflict and sparing you this suffering. Hurry, we don't want this to affect your health!!! In the meantime ... I certainly don't know the answer, but wanted to comment on the unusual kuchigane of the top one in the 3rd photo. Lends to your idea that there was a certain tolerance by acceptance inspectors for certain amount of variation. But back to your fretting ... you have my address, right?!

That is identical to one pictured on pg 76 if Dawson. He says “it was not uncommon on military swords” and “a personal preference with no other significance.”

Love that Type 3! Unusual leather wrap on the saya! You can see just from the curvature of the blade/saya that there is something special inside.

My guess is that the soldier wearing this had gotten some much unwanted attention! Wonder if he faired any better than the gunto did?!

Truly gorgeous Doug!!! Thanks for sharing.

It's Spring 1944. You can read about Zodiacal dating method here: https://japaneseswordindex.com/kanji/zodiac.htm

Seki stamp just under the Habaki. Handle looks like it was rewrapped at some paint - gold paint same’ and plain fuchi. It’s a Type 98 Officer sword.

That’s a beauty!

You might want to send a PM to DaveR. He has some experience at refitting blades. I've heard some success stories, but I personally found it hard to do. Each blade has it's own curvature and size. Your best hope is to to get a complete set of Koshirae, as all the small parts are custom fitted to each other, and it's difficult to get individual pieces from here & there to all come together. My mantetsu has a locking latch that is missing the spring. I bought 3 lactches to replace it, and NONE of them fit!

Here's the one from Dawson:

I’ve never found anything that will get the black spots off of the blade. For the seppa, I use a rag, pour a small amount of baking soda on the rag and squirt Lemmon juice into the baking soda. As it fizzes, rub the rust. It works slowly and takes some rubbing. I’ve never had to clean a tsuba and wouldn’t try the mix on it as it will probably take off the original coloration.

Sorry David, I was talking out of my butt! I've seen pictures of these but never seen one presented and broken down. The pictures show a naval saya and an army tsuka - clearly not a Rinji or one of the controversial post-war navy/army mixed ones.

Steve, The discussion you're thinking of was about a Rinji model because of the mekugi screw. This is new to me, too! But I've never owned one with the tsuka unwrapped, so I've never run into it. Very interesting!

Brian, The collecting world has made some strides in the last 70 years in updating our understanding of WWII gunto. There is an extensive discussion of this style Army sword here: http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/Japanese-militaria/deflating-another-myth-type-3-army-officer-s-sword-expanded-version-584796/ But the short version is they were originally designed as a simpler, cheaper, and more hardy version of the Army officer gunto. It seems like they developed a fan-base, as several have valuable blades in them, and the fittings on some were clearly expensive upgrades. The Japanese of WWII didn't have a "marines" as we know it, but did have some Navy personnel who worked alongside the army on several of the islands. When they carried a non-standard gunto, in pictures that we have, they are the standard navy scabbard with an army handle on a naval blade.

That's a good price. High end for an officer gunto of today's market, but I believe the market is lower than it should be. But for an ealy war, gendaito, I think that's a really good price.

CG: 150 USD seems to be the standard price FG: Bottom end 235, for something with a lot of wear/damage/fading; up to 500 USD for a pristine one GG: Don't see many for sale, but the one's I've seen run 1,000 USD

Yes, you have an excellent gunto for your first one! The Contengency style almost always come with good looking blades. I'm guessing the plasticized note is the translation of the surrender tag? If not, there are guys who can translate that for you. Are the fuchi (end cap of handle) and retention peg & screw missing?

No feathers ruffled, Jason. Just a "good conversation!"