Conway

I see you are in the PNW. You should look into the Rain Dragons sword club. You can contact @Scogg for more details.

Maybe this smith is a possible relation of Mano Masayasu and Mano Kuniyasu, who were also smiths (and brothers) from Owari during WW2. Here are a few other examples found online, but no additional details on the smith. Maybe @mecox has some knowledge of this smith. https://auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/b1119732614 https://auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/o1145185613 Also, that’s a nice looking display!

@John C Good catch. I was beginning to wonder if “Kane” was correct when I didn’t find any na stamped Kanehide references. Maybe “Kiku” could get added to the useful characters link on the home page.

Leo, It’s signed Kanehide 兼秀. On the dated side there is an inspection stamp above the date kanji - 名(na) for the Nagoya Army Arsenal inspection. Your friend’s sword looks to be in nice shape.

Hey Sam, Also Kanezane. Looks like Noshu ju Asano Kanezane saku kore 濃州住浅野兼眞作之 Similar example here (example C): ASANO KANESANE

I did some searching on 眞鐵 and could not find much. I noticed Moriyama san called it “magane” in his post above, but would it be correct to pronounce it as “Shintetsu?” I found one reference to shintetsu here: Taikei Naotane O-Dambira, Sai Jo Saku, 1848 NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon This Kanezane also has a “Sho” stamp.

@TLD Where did you find this sword? There’s a new grifter on eBay selling swords out of CA, but the seller is actually based in China. Looks like it could have come from this seller.

I would say there wouldn’t be many collectors of Japanese swords or military artifacts if we were all haunted by the potential back story of the items or their owners. For me, it’s important to place these items within their historical context and have some level of respect for people who served their nation and were thrust into armed conflict by their political leaders, regardless of being a member of an “Allied” or “Axis” force.

Hi Luke, That’s quite the post, but it’s a good sign you take your work seriously. The majority of these naval dirks were neither intended, nor built for combat use. Being a naval dirk, I think both the owner and dirk would have gone down with the ship had the owner perished. More than likely, its current condition is the result of its conservators of the last 80 years not taking care of it.

Thank you to everyone for the helpful input. I also found a reference on the forum to a Kanezane sword made with “rutsubo” iron, but the link to the auction is inactive. I know inscriptions specifying the type of steel are not uncommon. I would think in this case it speaks to the quality as opposed to the type of forging/quenching process.

@The Blacksmith Here are a few photos. It’s not mine, I saw it for sale locally and was just curious about the inscription. It’s a little rough as you can see from the pics.

Greetings, I am looking for assistance translating the inscription on this sword by Asano Kanezane. Thank you!

I’m afraid I’m not much help with police swords since they are outside my collecting scope. Unless the description in Fuller and Gregory is superseded by information in Dawson’s Cyclopedia, I would go with the superintendent grade designation.

It’s on eBay. Where else would Steve find a sword? The sword is being sold by a member who is active on NMB.

There is an “S" in the diamond stamp is for Kobe Steel and the 大 is for size large. More information here: The Evolution of the Japanese Army Steel Helmet (1918-1945) Revised and Expanded Version

I was hoping the year of establishment would help to date these swords with the anchor in sakura stamp, but it still leaves it pretty open ended

I believe you are referring to the quillion. I think the reason the proportions on the C&J seem larger than the Japanese one is because the Germans made it more true to size with the French sword these Type 19s are modeled on.

Trystan, do you know when the Naval Officer’s Club originated? Was it a Showa Period creation?

I’m not Irish. Haha. I just have an unhealthy addiction to Type 19s, so I am always on the lookout for niche examples.

I believe this whole sword was imported from Germany. I say that because the details in the guard and back strap are noticeably more pronounced (3D) than in Japanese-made dress swords. Below a C&J compared with a Suya Shoten example. Also note how the center of sakura on the back strap is devoid of a small dot in the center. This detail is almost always present on Japanese-made Type 19s. These dress swords were made within a cottage industry of sorts so there are many minute variations, but certain details really stick out as unique in these two C&J swords.

James, below the maker’s mark there appears to be a * star. These were put on the early imported German blades. I have a similar Type 19 by Clemen & Jung. I will post pictures when I have time. I would buy this one if the price is reasonable.

The X-ray was a bit much, but it looks cool. You can remove the handle on these without breaking anything. From the image, you can see the ana that the sakura nut goes through to secure the handle. Even the basic plated blades with acid-etched hamon have ana are able to be removed from the handle.

@Samurai Maybe this will help you…. The Evolution of Army Uniform Marking Regulations (1886-1945) Or not…. I see that you have given up on the forum and requested that admins delete your account because no one rushed to translate the size information on a pair of pants. By the way, your pictures were not very clear to begin with…

The stamp on the nakago is the “saka” stamp for the Osaka Army Arsenal. The yasurime reminded me of other swords that came from that arsenal. For example, see this Masanori currently for sale by Ray Singer: https://swordsofjapan.com/product/mizuno-masanori-katana-in-type-3-gunto-koshirae/

I think it’s just 日 - day