Luca

however the two swords are really very similar!

Kiipu is probably referring to the character observed after 499 engraved on the upper part of the handle. below is a photo of mine

Thank you all for the promptness of your feedback which provided very useful information to reconstruct the origins of the object. I noticed if it helps you that a magnet attaches to the blade. If you need any further information, I'm available as you were to me!

Hi, I recently came into possession of this kai gunto. I post the photos with the hope that you can help me identify it correctly. 304 is the number stamped on the metal parts and written inside the scabbard. The nakago of the sword has an anchor mark which, from what I have been able to reconstruct from reading on your forum, seems attributable to the Navy Kamakura-Tenshozan Inspector. However the kanji inscription that we find in productions attributable to Tenshozan is not present. On the other side of the nakago, in addition to the presence of some notches (in another discussion on the forum, there is talk of a form of numbering of the sword, xxx + IIII = 304?) I find some symbols imprinted which however I am not able to decipher well . Do you have any ideas? thanks in advance for the support. Luca