Kiipu

United States. United States Naval Technical Mission to Japan. Ships and Related Targets: Japanese Submarine Operations. Index No. S-17. 04 February 1946. 35mm Microfilm. Paid the Library of Congress to microfilm S-17 back in the late 1980s or early 1990s. US$30. The summary for report S-17 is below. Hampered by shortages of all kinds, assigned to a minor role with its forces dispersed in a losing war against a well-equipped enemy, the Japanese submarine force should be given credit for effort. However, in addition to its handicaps, there were several shortcomings of its own which prevented a creditable performance. Among these shortcomings of its own which prevented a creditable performance. Among these shortcomings were vacillating policies in building, false economy in withholding submarines for future use, failure to correct known mistakes, confusion of tactical command, poor communications, and a lack of individual caliber in many of the commanding officers. Briefly, in no particular could it be said that the Japanese submarine force excelled, while examples are many of its deficiency in strategical, tactical, research and personnel performance.

United States. Library of Congress. Japanese Studies on Manchuria. Microfilm Roll 1. 35mm, footage 108, exposures 1464. Roll 1 has volumes 1 to 7 on it. Currently sales for $100 plus shipping but I ordered this before the increase. US$60 including shipping. Volume 1 Japanese Operational Planning against the USSR (1932–1945): Plans and Preparations. Volume 2 Imperial Japanese Army in Manchuria (1894–1945): Historical Summary. Volume 3 Strategic Study On Manchuria Military Topography and Geography: Terrain Study (4 parts). Volume 4 Air Operations (1931–1945): Plans and Preparations. Volume 5 Infantry Operations. Volume 6 Armor Operations. Volume 7 Supporting Arms and Services (2 parts).

United States. Library of Congress. Japanese Monographs. Rolls 7, 8, 12, 13, 14. There is a guide to these reports entitled Guide to Japanese Monographs and Japanese Studies on Manchuria, 1945-1960. It can be seen via the link below. Each roll currently sales for $100 plus shipping but I ordered this before the increase. US$300 including shipping. Guide to Japanese Monographs, 1945-1960 Roll 7: JOMS 83-100. Roll 8: JOMS 101-119. Roll 12: JOMS 154-164. Roll 13: JOMS 165-178. Roll 14: JOMS 179-185.

United States. United States Naval History Division. Operational Archives. Bulletins of the Intelligence Center, Pacific Ocean Area; Joint Intelligence Center, Pacific Ocean Area; and the Commander in Chief Pacific and Pacific Ocean Area, 1942–1946. Microfilm Publication 3. Washington, D.C.: USNHD, 1976. Microfilm roll JP-26. See PDF attachment for the list of titles on JP-26. US$60 including shipping to U.S. mp3-jicpoa-bulletins-jp26-index.pdf

United States. United States Naval History Division. Operational Archives. Reports of the United States Naval Technical Mission to Japan, 1945–1946. Microfilm Publication 2. Washington, D.C.: USNHD, 1974. Microfilm rolls JM 200-E and JM 200-F. These two reels cover most of the Japanese naval ordnance reports, namely reports O-08 to O-56(N). See the PDF attachment for the list of titles. Price for both is US$120 including shipping. FYI, NHHC no longer sells microfilm. usntmj-mp2-rolls-e-&-f.pdf

Grenade Launcher Book Bundle All three for US$180 including shipping to the United States. Babich, Gregory A., and T. Keep. Imperial Japanese Grenade Rifles and Launchers. Dutch Harlow Publishing Company, 2004. Imperial Japanese Grenade Rifles and Launchers covers the gamut of this topic including army and navy arsenal procedures, inspection marks, ordnance nomenclature, Japanese dating systems, and relevant rifles and bayonets. More than twelve types of grenade rifles and launchers and numerous variants, many of them previously undocumented, are described in this book. In addition, cup wrenches, carrying pouches, cleaning equipment, and launching cartridges are discussed. Throughout this book, grenade rifles and launchers are placed in historical context, and background information is given regarding their development, manufacture, and use. Considerable text, photographs, and drawings are devoted to the numerous shells, hand grenades, and rifle grenades that were used with Imperial Japanese Grenade Rifles and Launchers. Many previously undocumented fuzes and grenades are covered including improvised, rocket propelled, and naval variations. With ten chapters of detailed information, more than 300 photographs and drawings, translated wartime documents, and an extensive reference section, Imperial Japanese Grenade Rifles and Launchers is the definitive work on the topic. Dust jacket, hardcover, 8.5 x 11 inches, 248 pages, color illustrations. Weight 3 lb 6 oz, printed in USA. US$99. Heidler, Michael. Deutsche Gewehrgranaten und ihre Abschussgeräte bis 1945 [German Rifle Grenades and Their Launching Devices up to 1945]. Aufsätze zu Geschichte+Technik, Band 9. Verlag W. Sünkel, 2003. Autographed by author. German Language. Softcover, 8.25 x 11.75 inches, 152 pages, black & white illustrations. The Japanese Type 2 Grenade Launcher was based upon the German Gewehrgranatgerät [rifle grenade equipment]. US$99. Visier: Das internationale Waffen-Magazin (August 2005). Published by Vogt-Schild Deutschland GmbH. German language. Softcover, 8.25 x 11 inches, 148 pages, color illustrations. The magazine has several articles on historic firearms besides modern ones. See the pictured "Table of Contents" below.

I think it is a continuation of the serial number range used by Tōkyō Arsenal for the early Type 100 Military Swords. This is the highest Type 100 I have recorded and it is serial number 2128. Akimitsu - Unusual Date Inscription

Bruce, I think you are correct, it is for Tōkyō. Compare the serial number to the early Type 100 serials and see how it fits.

特 = TOKU Arsenal Stamps.

FYI, the 2 on the blade is stamped upside down! Agree with Scogg, have not seen a crossguard serialized before but that is not to say it did not occur. The reason is most do not disassemble Type 95s. Are there any additional numbers stamped by the habaki (blade collar in front of the crossguard)? @Stegel

Just observation that Seki was using up old blade stock. The 11mm crossguard on aluminum hilts could also tie into the original blade design.

As you state, Seki was just using up old parts on hand. Nothing more and nothing less.

I do not think it is a Japanese sword knot.

I think they are both from the same shop, ie Yamamoto. Edit: Or an overstamp of a Suya logo? Note the two curvatures at the bottom.

United States Strategic Bombing Survey (USSBS).