Was There Any Type Of Production Of Japanese Swords In Occupied Territories During Wwii

[Bruce Pennington]

Seems to fit in with all the other "made in occupied lands" swords discussed in this thread. There is one on this link with that same stamp (http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/5999-arsenal-stamps/page-8). The guys in that discussion called it fake, but having learned so much more about these kind of swords, lately, I would consider both to be legit - not Japanese, but made during the war for local troops cooperating with the Japanese.

[General]

Thanks for the response!!!! Seems to be the current thought. Too bad nothing more concrete exists. Hopefully something shows up in the future. Thanks again Ike

[george trotter]

The mark in the circle is discussed on several pages of our NMB  'Military Swords' page...I think all felt it was China production, but no-one sure who/where.

Have a scroll through...

[Stegel]

This is what John Stuart had to say about the Kanji in the circle... post #170 in the Arsenal Stamps thread.

 

John A Stuart

Daimyo

Posted 04 December 2012 - 08:31 AM

The one stamp looks like 應 the verb ataru, one meaning 'to accept'. I don't know by whom this sword was accepted or OK'd. It does look like Chinese manufacture. 應 in Chinese is not used in the sense of acceptance though.In Chinese it is used as in this sentence " 我們應該去。" (Cantonese) "Ngo ying gai hueh. " " We should go. " Where 應 means 'should'.

John

 

http://www.johnstuart.biz

[General]

Stegel, I am sorry but  I am not sure I follow. Does this mean that Mr. Stuart feels that although he thinks the swords are Chinese made, he believes the Kanji is most likely Japanese for "to accept" which would imply that these were made for the Japanese to be used for and by a unknown group? Thanks Ike.

[Stegel]

Yes Ike, i'm reading it the same as you are.

[General]

Stegel thanks for the clarification and all your assistance!! Greatly appreciated Ike

[Reddawn27]

A possible Vietnamese build Japanese Gunto ... I don't really know what to make of this one .. I leave it for you guys http://www.swordsantiqueweapons.com/s1846_full.html

[Bruce Pennington]

My new Fuller & Gregory says there were guntos converted by the Vietnamese after the war and shows an example.

[Geraint]

With regard to the Vietnamese example, my very first Japanese sword was, and is, a koto Mino katana with an iron tsuba carefully remounted as a Burmese dha.  I have no idea of the history but I suspect that it whether it was captured and repurposed in Burma either during or just after the war.  I will try and get some pictures if anyone is interested.  (Perhaps not, just remembered the mounts are in the locker under the armour.)

 

All the best.

[Johnny Barracuda]

Geraint, it sad because I would have been very interested by a picture.

 

I have the opposite: a beautiful XVIIIth century dha mounting with a bland and probably more recent Burmese blade. You have the better combination!

[Geraint]

Thibault, 

 

It's not much to look at but I will see if I can dig it out.

 

All the best

[Johnny Barracuda]

Cheers!