John C

Stephen: The clincher to their existence was this document showing its purchase from the PX. Others show actual production numbers, etc. John C. Wait...were just pulling Bruce's leg?

Great minds! John C.

@Bruce Pennington Another one on ebay. https://www.ebay.com/itm/176005826671?hash=item28fac3c86f:g:RkEAAOSw2GBlQ~rF&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4MZuxwxCesLme2ct6UAbqULT8KCs0%2F6C%2BdhbUSe%2FvzZ7JKU7PnMsSlr9gBjydUqF%2BBiFoX%2Fy4ReYUXzOJJDqJsnEiGeTjdRGJJ9wuS9xxb8LNFlE8v9xelYysqeNMUjGkkZ3SnpZxJgnMuctlFVYDUbDpoMN09UBQsE%2ByA0brgDtIvl2bt9FGxt%2BGz%2B6wnd9aZviNYnpIRNy5pwsfsrDqY3%2FFppC%2Fl7Uztg3Sr%2B%2FJm4%2FJNz69EB0NbYiIcx3IUEGsq6XemdsFVMd35BTWFhg0ARHiyzvZyE5OnpSg%2BDlzFfm|tkp%3ABk9SR_bg8pr4Yg John C.

Apparently 900 bucks was too rich for someone. It's back on the auction block. Currently at 100 bucks. https://shopgoodwill.com/item/183415371 John C.

I know nothing about Japanese armor so I'll ask...could you get real samurai armor for that kind of money? John C.

Do the serial numbers on the saya and blade match? The recent market has been in the 800 - 900 range. But mismatched parts would bring the price down somewhat. John C.

I would add that in close, hand-to-hand combat, it may be possible for parry marks to be made sword against a bayonet during a banzai charge. It is far more likely, however, that as Bruce said some kid was just banging on it during the last 80 years. John C.

Bruce beat me to it. Looks legit. Note the style of font on the numbers (especially the 3), the way the bohi is cut rounded at the back and angled at the kissaki, the level of detail on the formed menuki. John C.

Not sure if this helps, however some further information on Kaneshige exhibiting a Zohei-to sword, separate from the "forging sword" division. In this case, I am assuming this was a non-traditional sword: It is noteworthy that this military sword exhibition was divided into the categories of "trial sword", "forged sword", "soldier sword", and "special steel sword". In the "Special Steel In the "Zohei Sword Division", "Yoshimasa, Kaneshige, Yoshitada, and Kanemasa" from Seki Kyoshinsha, and "Yorimasa" from Hattori Gunto Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in Tokyo are exhibited. In the "Forging Sword Division", Ichihara Nagamitsu, a swordsmith of life, exhibited a sword with a blade length of 2 or 12 shaku as "Ichihara Nagamitsu, Okayama" and was selected." John C.

Agree with Christian. May be difficult to decipher it at this point. John C.

It's what we call a "souvenir" sword. Post war for the 8th Army PX; sold to US soldiers and sailors. Still some discussion as to whether or not the blades used were surplus or made specifically for the souvenir. Search NMB for "souvenir" for further info. Note the kabutogane and menuki are Army, while the blade is navy. The tsuba is a larger version of the army tsuba. John C.

Ian: Another tip-off. Note the style of numbering is in the wrong font. Also, the bo-hi has been clearly made by a grinder and isn't long enough. John C.

@vajo Chris: I am trying to figure out how to determine which RJT smith is being referenced when looking at rankings. For example, the sword above is signed Kunimitsu, however there were 6 ranked smiths named Kunimitsu. What factors or characteristics are used to determine this was signed by Chujo Saku ranked smith Shibata Kunimitsu? Vielen dank, John C.

Type 97 kai gunto? John C.

@Bruce Pennington Any significance to a double ko stamp or just double punched for some reason? John C.

Ditto. John C.

The bottom kanji looks like "saku" to me = "made this". I believe there are examples where he does sign like this. John C.

Sold for 28,160 GBP including premium. John C.

Mal: Firstly, thank you for your hard work and valuable information! Secondly, I have a question about which Kunimitsu is attributed to this sword. There were no less than 6 Kunimitsu listed in the rankings. There is a Shibata Kunimitsu listed under the Chujo Saku ranking. Is this the one referred to above? Thank you, John C.

Paul: I imagine you've looked at Sesko's List of Mei Characters. He lists the one above and 5 others associated with Kane. Not sure how it lines up with Slough, however. John C.

Ended up selling for 903 dollars. John C.

@Bruce Pennington Any idea on this stamp? I looked at both katakana and hiragana characters as well as stamp doc but didn't see anything. John C.

This sword was discussed in the auction forum. Late war or "emergency" stamp. John C.

...someone is going to. It's now up to 451 dollars! John C.

On Shopgoodwill.com and currently at 403 dollars. My vote is fake - but at least it is stamped. https://shopgoodwill.com/item/181823770 John C.