DRDave

Interesting posts in this thread about rifle barrels used as rebar and fence posts.

Terrific photo. Puts me in the holiday spirit.

Congrats Michael. Love the provenance.

There appear to be numerous straight line scratches in the first photo, and only a few small ones on the other side, none of which run in the same direction as the ones in the first photo. Maybe a lighting thing? You might get a polisher's opinion on whether the issue you're concerned about would polish out. Looks like there's some masame going on, so I'm thinking there may be a lot to enjoy about that blade. Congrats!

I've not seen the three ovals before, but I wonder if what looks like an F might actually be some form of 五

I don't have many swords, but do have one inscribed in a way that indicates it was either made to order or presented as a gift; "This is a Shibata Ka’s sword that Katsuichi Watanabe carried to destroy the U.S. and Britain". Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find any info on Katsuichi Watanabe.

I too, have an interest in late WWII swords. I don't currently have any gunto, but I do have a couple of gendaito. You can read about one of them, made in February of 1945 by Tsutsui Kiyokane, here. The sword has the most umegane of any blade I've ever seen; and as I read through my old post, I erred when I wrote "There is some evidence in the hada suggesting the possibility of bigger issues requiring umegane.." Don't know how I missed that the first time round, because there is nothing that even hints at the reason for the umegane. I've always wondered if maybe the metal had some special meaning to the smith that he wanted to incorporate into the blade. My other one is a blade by Shibata Ka; made in August 1945. I don't recall seeing one any later than that, and Ka passed before sword making resumed; so I've often wondered if it was the last blade he ever made. Edit: Just FYI, There are at least two swords from 1945 on Ray Singer's website; a Takenori and a Akitaka

Thanks, Peter. I wasn't even aware of the seller; and that hanagatana is like nothing I've ever seen before.

Seeing this thread has been resurrected I can't resist. Here's one I kick myself for not buying; a 78.78cm Okimasa.

Just in case you hadn't seen it, I thought I'd post this link in hope that it might help. https://nihonto.com/the-yasutsugu-school-康継系/

I'd be excited about that one, too; nice find. Congrats, Ed!

My WAG: 1 - Once upon a time in Japan 2 - Mino Den 3 - Seki Ju Something or other.

In addition to links in a recent post here, there is also info posted here.

https://www.toukenko...i&katanaA111118.html Ray started a thread on it 5 years ago.

Although I have very few tsuba, one is Kiku. Perhaps due to their popularity/abundance?