Bruce Pennington

Nice collection, David! Too bad so many blade tips and blades were damaged by water getting in the saya. This looks like it had a nice hamon. You might know already, but it was a Type 98 Army officer sword in "combat saya" or "informal saya" which would have had a leather cover. They quite often went missing over the years.

Agree with above, and the paint is faint at top, but maybe 1625.

That fact alone, would put all these in question. Originally, John, PNSSHOGUN, was concerned about the authenticity of the mei. We have seen a number of blades coming out of Japan that were likely originally mumei and had fake mei added. These could fall into that category. Is it possible they were all minitogawa blades that had the fake Captain inscription added recently?

Gorgeous kaigunto and blade! Nice presentation, too, John, thank you!

Hi Dave! Don't know how much you know about the WWII swords, but here's some more about the sword: Type 98 Japanese Army Officer sword (gunto). You can read about them, and see great examples, on Ohmura's site: Military Swords of Japan (gunto) - Ohmura Basic Care for Japanese Swords - Japaneseswordindex.com The painted numbers on the side opposite the mei (signature) are almost too faint, but appear to be "4597". They often match the stamped numbers on the metal fittings, as they were used to keep all the parts together during processing/manufacture. It's not uncommon to see unmatching numbers, and we don't know for sure why. It could imply that the original fittings were damage and replaced by new ones during the war. The stamped number, which, I think, is "988" is another matter. On Army blades, they seem to be production numbers, in sequence by each smith. They might be in order to track a certain number of blades made for a military contract, but we don't really know. The orientation of the number on the end fits a pattern that puts your blade most likely in 1942. They changed orientation over the years in a fairly consistent manner, so I feel comfortable with the date, but it's still just based upon my observations.

Rock Island protects themselves by using the word "style" in the description, like "Japaese style sword", "Japanese style NCO sword" ect.

Another posted by Nicotrojan on this Warrelics Thread. I like this mon for some reason.

From Sesko's list: SADATSUGU (貞次), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Sadatsugu” (貞次), family name Takai (高井), rikugun-jumei-tōshō, ryōkō no jōi (Akihide), Fifth Seat at the 6th Shinsaku Nihontō Denrankai (新作日本刀展覧会, 1941)

Here's one posted by @PNSSHOGUN HERE.

Yes, great story! I was impressed by the original officer's effort to write his tag in English, with full request and complete address.

I don’t know whether to laugh or to cry

Steven, As discussed above, I have only seen gendaito in the Rinji mounts having 2 chuso buttons. I know - never say never and always, with WWII gunto! Desirable simply depends on your taste. The dark, wooden, textured saya are more artsy and took more time to make, therefore cost the officer more for it. But on the market? Haven't followed pricing trends of one vs the other.

Thanks John! For some reason, the number is more clear on the full nakago shot. I agree Thomas, the marks look like "SO" katakana. I have seen katakana + number on seppa and fittings, but I think this is the first one I've seen on a nakago, on a mumei Navy blade, that is. I was wondering if it could be something in line with the Army practice, but the "So" isn't identified with a prefecture, yet, and with the blade being mumei, we can't even go by the prefecture of the smith. It's stainless, so either Takayama, Tenshozan, or Seki. And we don't have kana tied to those areas. So, likely the fittings shop, like you said. Update: After filing this, I found a good number of mumei stainless blades with numbers in the file and one, posted by @robinalexander had a ワ 119. The rest were just numbers, but even that showed some variety in stamping method. So, still likely done by the shops rather than the arsenal/forge.

True for the steel saya, light tan, but these darker tan with double chuso release buttons do come with gendaito. I own one with a star-stamped blade.

Yeah, I saw that, but was hesitant to log it as I really couldn't make it out. They seem to have numbered it right over 2 punch marks, or flaws. The marks to the left might be a "Na", but if so, I've never seen that done with numbers before. Osaka is the only arsenal I've seen that does it regularly. I can't recall where Matt posted this. Do you have a link?

The number appears to the the same, so probably a patent number:

Thanks John and Thomas. That single digit numbering, which can be alone or followed by another number is a mystery. They are on blades from all over the place, so it doesn't appear to be the practice of a particular arsenal. They are mostly Army, but I have three kaigunto with such a number too. Posting what I have. Other than the dated blades, they are not listed in a particular order: 1942, Jun Kanenori (RJT) – Gifu Na Ho 1 on mune 1942, Dec Tenshozan Tanrenjo 1 on mune Michaelr, NMB, kai 1942, Mar Norisada (RJT) – Fukuoka Na Ho 1 on mune Leen, NMB 1942, May Norisada (pre-RJT) – Fukuoka Na Ho 3 on mune K. Elliott, NMB 1942, Apr Masakazu (RJT) – Fukushima 1129; “1” on mune George Trotter, RS, tsuba/seppa ニ1129 1943, Jun Sadakatsu (RJT) – Osaka 1阪 on mune Star Ed Hicks, NMB, RS 1943, Aug Hiromasa (RJT) – Ehime Yama Ho 2 on mune Itomagoi, NMB RS 1945 Okimitsu 江江1 Bangbangsan, NMB, Kai ND Masayasu – Aichi 2 55 on mune Conway S, NMB, Kai ND Nagamitsu – Osaka 1阪3490 mune VajS,NMB, RS ND Nagamitsu – Osaka 1阪3991 mune mauser99; NMB ND Mumei 2 95 on mune Unleasedndest, Gunboards ND Mumei 1 100 on mune DTM72, NMB, RS ND Mumei 1 104 on mune Bangbangsan, NMB, RS ND Mumei 3 on mune Bangbangsan, NMB, RS ND Kiyomichi 1 66; stainless GunBB, Gunboards, Kai I can't argue with the guy's opinion of the blade, numbered "2 95" looking like a Nagamitsu, but the observed Nagamitsu with numbers all have a Saka stamp and a "1".

Wow, that’s unique! I have not seen it before. Let’s see if John has (PNSSHOGUN).

Working from memory, but we have a few of these with the large one and a smaller number and some with a large 2. So it was proposed that may be there were a couple of inspectors using these numbers.

You got it. Bishu ju Sukenobu December 1944 No star or stamps?

Thanks John! Looks like he's re-listed this one. I have it from a posted sale back in 2022.

I see you're in New Hampshire. Is it humid there? Humidity is your enemy. If so, you'll need to set up a routine (I don't know how frequent) of cleaning and re-oiling the blade. I have seen guys come to NMB with blades that developed rust even when they had oiled them. Display/storage runs a wide gamut from closets to fully desiccated glass cases. It just depends upon how much you are willing to spend, or how you wish to display for enjoyment.

Thanks guys. I messaged the seller to see if he'll post a shot of the other side of the nakago. Most of the Kanenao blades I have aren't numbered, but we'll see if he responds. Update: Got a response, no photos, but seller said there was nothing on the other side.

Yes, all same direction folds.

I'm posting this one for those trying to learn to spot fakes. It has several things right, which might tempt a new guy to fall for it, like: - Serial number is posted cutting edge down as Tokyo blade should - Latch is curved properly vs the angled bend you see on many fakes - Suya and Kokura stamps aren't bad, in as much as you can see the Suya one - Bohi beginning is a little sloppy but not bad But other things are wrong, first of which, glaringly, is the brass tsuka! These are often sold as a copper handled 95, but they are not. Other issues: - Tokyo stamp on blade is FAR too far from the serial number - Bohi end is not shaped properly for a Tokyo blade - Tokyo inspector stamp on fuchi is really bad - Fine details of tsuka and tsuba dimples, seppa sculpting, kabutogane, are all course, flat; probably an attempt to make it look worn and used - The tsuba has a dark coating to make it look aged Photos at first glance Zooming in for detail: