Kiipu

The picture is out of focus and I do not recognize the marking as being a Japanese character, kana or kanji. Could be a English letter C or G or a partial Arabic number such as 0? Just have to wait for another example to show up to figure out what the pattern is. Keep digging Bruce, there is gold in them there hills.

Attention @PNSSHOGUN.

TAN/KITAU STAMP This stamp means forged or folded. Seems to be used mainly (?only) in Seki. Possibly it means a hand-made forged blade that is not of fully traditional manufacture (e.g possibly mill steel, or a variation of oil quenching). Omote-mei Two example only, neither are dated. This may mean they are pre-1942. Cox, Malcolm E. “A Survey of Wartime Blade Stamps.” JSSUS Newsletter Vol. 26 No. 3 (May-June 1994): pages 2–10.

Fittings オ39 = katakana O, not zero. Base of Hilt 山オ？. 三九 = 39. Phil, the other example of a stainless, mumei Type 97 was over at GBF. However, at the time, I was only saving the encircled anchor stamps. I think I have also seen some stainless blades that had only stamped numbers on them. If these numbers were via the sword shop, then they would be related your blade.

I found the following via a quick Internet search engine. Did not look to carefully though. Kaneaki KANEAKI—2ND SEAT -WW2 Japanese Army Officer Samurai Sword/Old Gendaito Kaneshige via text only? Lot 2437: Two Signed Japanese Swords Kiyonobu Kiyonobu Gendaito in Shin-gunto Mounts

I found it interesting that, as the Honorable Bruce stated above, it has only been found on blades forged in Gifu Prefecture. All that can be done is to locate more examples and see how many swordsmiths used this particular stamp and when. The when part is rather silent though. In my opinion, I see one of two possibilities. The 1st is that it was used by a training forge or a regular forge. The 2nd is that it was an association stamp just like the Shō 昭 and large Seki 関. However, I searched through all of Mal's monographs on Gifu Prefecture and did not find one example of the 鍛 stamp. I would think that he would have at least included one if it was found. On my end, I will keep my eyes open for more examples and post links to them.

Phil, I have run into these unmarked Type 97s before. Not too common, but they do surface from time to time. I have not recorded them as they have no markings.

The stamp shows up on two 1945 dated swords coming from Fukuoka Prefecture; however, it probably represents the city and not the prefecture. The placement of the stamp(s) would seem to indicate an inspection mark which follows the format used by Kokura Arsenal. If anyone has a 1945 dated, star stamped, blade from a Fukuoka Prefecture swordsmith, now is the time to step up to the plate. For a much clearer image of the 福 stamp, see the picture posted by our very own @vajo. Mune Stamp

Cross-Reference help with Japanese sword signature

Bruce, do you remember where you found this 1945 dated Chikugo-jū Nagamitsu 筑後住永光 with 福 nakago mune marking? @mecox

You are correct. I picked the wrong Kanemoto! 兼元 = Kanemoto. 兼基 = Kanemoto.

Here is a picture of another one, credited to Kanemoto. Looks like he added 模 to the mei. Kanemoto

Below are links to two threads about reproduction Type 95s. NMB: Fake Type 95 Nco Swords GBF: Another FAKE Type 95 NCO sword sold to an unsuspecting buyer

Yes, KANE 兼 is a Seki thing. I am sure @mecox, AKA Mino man, knows who the rascal was that started it way back when.

The first sword is a Type 95 (1935) used by the lower ranks while the second sword is a Type 94 (1934) Military Sword used by officers. Alas, both are reproductions that came from China.

A Kanetoshi 兼利 via GregD. Arsenal Stamps. An Amachi Kanenaga 天池包永 via waljamada. Arsenal Stamps.

Page 122 of F&Gs 1986 book entitled Military Swords of Japan, 1868–1945.

A Word War 2 Seki swordsmith. 石原兼直 =Ishihara Kanenao

A Kiyonobu courtesy of a 2014 link by Stephen. Signed Japanese officer's katana and accompanying photo Another Kiyonobu courtesy of Nic. WW2 Katana Mei Identification A Kanesumi 兼住 via sksguide. Ww Ii Sword Translation Contrary to the Blind Bruce, the Kanetada is dated 1942. Waaaay overpaid as usual! Type 98 Gunto - TAN stamped

Still listed as unknown. Marks of the Japanese Red Cross Society Medals

And another from out of the woodwork. Something only Piers would like to look at. Help with Tanegashima Markings

DTM, I think it is a sword made in China during the war. The lower ranks were fond of the traditional style and would purchase them locally. There are plenty of pictures of them carrying such swords. See the second picture down from the top. That's my story and I am sticking to it! 白兵 Picture translation via Google Translate. 昭和十四年に支那大陸で写されたプライベートアルバムに写る二人の上等兵で、各々が「脇差」をベースとした「私物軍刀」を所持している。両者ともに「脇差」の「鞘」を革で包むとともに「革帯」に佩用にするための金属製の「佩環」が「鞘」に付けられている。また右の上等兵は柄部分の「柄巻」を護るために布を巻きつけている。両者とも昭和五年制定の「防暑衣」を着用している。These are two privates pictured in a private album taken in China in 1939, each carrying a "private gunto" based on the "Wakizashi."' In both cases, the "sheath" of the "Wakizashi" is wrapped in leather, and a metal "car ring" is attached to the "scabbard" to be worn on the "leather obi." Additionally, the private on the right has cloth wrapped around the handle to protect it. Both men are wearing "heat protection clothing" that was established in 1930.

Cross-reference to the same sword. Newby Perplexed by Type 95 NCO Sword

The Suya serial number range for asymmetrical hilts is 6787東 to 9811東. Stegel is the only one who can narrow it down further.

The Seki 関 stamp displaced the Nagoya 名 stamp in the 201,500 range. However, old 名 blades occasionally show up later on.