help with mei! (partial translation so far)

[Frederik M]

hello

i would really appreciate your help on the mei

for the date, i think i got it right SHOWA JYU NI NEN NI GATSU => February 1938 (1926+12) => this is a gunto 94 model

for the signature i am struggling a bit more XX SHU? SEKI? MINA? ZANE? SAKU

thx in advance

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Frederik,

You're correct with the date except for Showa 12 is 1937, not 1938 (1926 was Showa 1, not Showa 0).

The mei is Noshu Seki no Ju Kanehiro Saku. If the city is Seki the province is always Noshu. If it's Noshu and Seki the 1st Kanji of the smith's name is Kane.

Grey

[cabowen]

Appears as if it might have a Sho stamp...Pretty early war era blade from Seki.

[cisco-san]

.........Pretty early war era blade from Seki.

--> Does this mean that the quality might be a little bit better as most of the average blades from Seki?!

 

edit: typo!

[cabowen]

Perhaps, but if it does indeed have a Sho stamp, the point is moot.

[Frederik M]

thx a lot for your help

the blade is indeed much much better than average (and the mounting is top quality - like we would expect for a 94 model)

there is a stamp but very difficult to see as the rust took its toll!

[cisco-san]

I had a Kanemichi blade with a "destroyed" Sho stamp.

I guess two reasons for this. First is, as you know non traditional blade are not allowed in Japan (I got it direct from Japan) and second reason is to increase the value of the blade (real Gendaito´s are more expensive as Showato´s). Just my 2 cent?!

Better photos from this area would be helpful. Do you have additional photos from the blade itself?.

 

edit: typo

[cabowen]

I have seen more than a few showato in Japan with the stamp defaced to allow for registration. It is done, mostly I would suspect for the reason cited above.

[Mark]

Any chance the date was Showa 15 and rust or something else has obscured part of the 5 kanji making it look like 2?