Fusilier

Thanks Jan, Really appreciate that. That date would indicate that King picked up this sword after the Kokoda Campaign. Cheers David

A few more:

G'day Guy's I recently purchased this Showa era Gunto with the intention of listing it. I was approached by the owner who'd been given it by an old neighbour and now wanted to sell it. He told me that his neighbor, when he was growing up, had served with the 55/53rd Battalion, 2AIF in New Guniea during WW2 and had picked up the sword then. He knew the ex-digger as 'Mr King', and thinks his first name was 'Norm' but wasn't sure. Apparently he used to tell the seller stories about the Kokoda Track, and when he was taken into care he gave the sword to the seller as he: "didn't want any old thieving F***** getting it when he karked it". I'd be grateful for any information anyone may have on either the sword or Mr King. Unfortunately, the Australian National Archives - NameSearch function isn't working at the moment as that would have been my first port of call. If anyone can tell me what the inscriptions are and what the showa stamp indicates? I'd also be interested on information on the leather sword knot and whether its an indicator of rank or such like.

Happy for you to DM me mate.

G'day Bruce, Sam, Colin, Alex, Thank you very much again. I feel much more confident selling a sword when I at least know that its genuine and have an indicator as to its provenance. That said, you guys have certainly stimulated an interest in the field for this tired old bayonet collector and I have to admit to buying two books on the subject. I'm about a third of the way through the one by Gregory Irvine and will then start the Kapp & Yoshihara one. I only started buying these blades when I came across them on my hunts for bayonets, but once you start seeing them, you start seeing them, if you know what I mean. Anyway, hugely grateful for your help as usual. Cheers David

Thanks Bruce, Always value yours and others knowledge. I don't know if you've managed to have a dekko at the second sword or whether you are able to judge its age or provenance from the pictures. Its much shorter than most of the swords I've come across before but I'm not sure if its a wakizashi or not.

Or is it the same as Paul G's translation from the sword in your link?

Cheers John, Conway, Any idea what the script on the other side of the nakago might say?

Here's pictures of the other sword I purchased to sell. Any information you may have especially with regards to age and provenance would be very gratefully received.

G'day Guy's I've just purchased two swords to sell from the same person in Canberra. One appears to be a late model Gunto while the other is, I think a short mumei uchgatana. I'd be grateful for any information you might have on either. I show photos of the late model sword on this post and put the photo's of the other on a second post given the restrictions on file size. Here's the first sword, I'll I've done is wipe off the layers of old grease they were coated in with a dry soft cloth.

Thanks Bruce, I might try and get a better photograph as I think I can see a partial circular anchor stamp in the centre of that transitional area, running up to the medial ridge from the right. That said, it might just be coincidental marking.

I was referring to the partially visible marks on the top left and the centre of the roughly finished haft where it meets the polished part of the blade. It may be nothing, or something? I thought it might be the Ha mentioned in Bruce's Dec 22 post and the remains of the anchor mark in the centre. What do you think?

Cheers Bruce, Thanks for the link and the additional links it contained. Its fascinating and fits with everything I can see on the sword. in fact, I think the Ha you have a picture of on your post of the 17 Dec 2022 post might be partially visible on the nakago of this sword. Really appreciate the help mate.

Thanks Guy's, I can't see any more stamps on the nakago, there are some marks on the Tsuba but I think they might just be forging flaws. I've attached a picture showing both sides so you can see for yourselves. So if I've understood correctly these mei are indicating that this is a stainless steel armoury made blade but with no indication of which armoury/forge produced it. Has anyone seen a similar style of marking associated with a particular forge?

Thanks Conway, Would that be his name? Inaba?

Other pictures

G'day Fella's, I was hoping you might be able to give me some info on my latest acquisition which I've purchased to sell. It appears to be a Showa Naval Officers sword and does have a signature on the tang. That's as far as I can take it, hoping someone might be able to tell me more. Because of the size of the files, I'll have to send them separately. Cheers David

Cheers Bryce, much appreciated, it is pretty rough but its 'as found' which is how I'll leave it. Cheers David

G'day Everyone, I'm reticent to ask this as I'm cognicent it might be below the pay grade of experts with the sort of knowledge you guys have. I recently traveled down to Bega to purchase a immaculate Type 32 'Ko' Cavalry Sabre and unexpectedly picked up this Mumai Uchigatana at the same time, Like a couple I've seen it has some painted mei on the hilt and I understand that these are normally numbers added during production. Would that be the case here? Interestingly, the Type 32 that I'd gone to buy to list is the best I've ever come across and I probably won't be selling it, but I will list this one at some point. Cheers David

Thanks Dan I love the fact that they were having to 'bling' up their output because of there was less demand for their work.

Cheers Mal, amazing info from you and guy's, I'm still sorta amazed at the degree of collective knowledge that you are collectively able to apply to this discipline. Thank you.

Cheers Jean