First one...what is it?

[Hammond_Egger]

Hello,

 

I am very new to Japanese swords, as in I picked up my first one today! My main area of collecting is WWII Military firearms, etc.

 

I have tried for several hours to look up the markings on the hilt of the WWII US bringback sword I picked up today, but I just cannot make any headway. One strange thing is the mekugi is basically rolled burlap with a piece of lead in the center...strange?

 

Any help in telling me what I have would be AWESOME! Mass produced? Early or late war?

 

I bought this from the family of an Army vet who was in the pacific, they had this and a Tokyo bayonet.

 

Thanks in advance,

Dave

 

[SteveM]

濃州住國廣

Nōshū-jū Kunihiro

 

Kunihiro is a WW2 smith. Nōshū is a location (Gifu Prefecture).

[Hammond_Egger]

Thank you!

[Hammond_Egger]

More pics..., Thanks!