hale1940 Posted December 16, 2020 Report Posted December 16, 2020 Hey there, I posted about this Type 98 a while back as I was looking at purchasing it. Well, I did purchase it and after almost getting lost by the postal service it has finally arrived! Made by Takehisa in Autumn 1943, a pretty classic looking Type 98 to my eyes. I’ve decided to take some of my own pictures and post them here, though I’ve included some of the older pics of it apart... since I have yet to take it apart myself... perhaps a little nervous haha. 1 Quote
Karu Posted December 16, 2020 Report Posted December 16, 2020 Wow ! classic type 98 in perfect condition. Looks really nice ! Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted December 16, 2020 Report Posted December 16, 2020 Nice one Hale! I've added your Takehisa to my files of "W" stamped blades. I now have 3 Takehisa with the stamp, all Autumn of '43, all with the same black painted numbers (107, 155, and 608). 155 has similar Type 98 fittings with the thin tsuba. 608 is in Rinji-seishiki fittings. The "W" is stamped as "M" on 155, but as "W" on the other 2. Is your sarute the clasped-hands? Quote
hale1940 Posted December 17, 2020 Author Report Posted December 17, 2020 15 hours ago, Bruce Pennington said: Nice one Hale! I've added your Takehisa to my files of "W" stamped blades. I now have 3 Takehisa with the stamp, all Autumn of '43, all with the same black painted numbers (107, 155, and 608). 155 has similar Type 98 fittings with the thin tsuba. 608 is in Rinji-seishiki fittings. The "W" is stamped as "M" on 155, but as "W" on the other 2. Is your sarute the clasped-hands? Hey Bruce! So is that what that back paint is, a number? 107? also the sarute is not the clasped hand type, just plain curved bar. I think when the pervious owner added it when he added the tassel. two questions. What are our thoughts on the use of the W stamp? And also, do we know of any more information about Takehisa of the methods he used for making his swords? thanks! Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted December 17, 2020 Report Posted December 17, 2020 The painted numbers were likely (only theory existing) by the shop that did the fittings. All officer blades varied in size and shape, so fittings were customized to each blade. Numbers were put on blade and fittings to keep them all together during the process. You can read a bunch on the W stamp here: THE MYSTERIOUS "W" STAMP! But the short version is that it was a mid-way/half-way inspection mark. It's still a bit of a mystery as to why it wasn't widely used and only a few smiths, plus the Mantestu blade (and of them, only a small percentage) had them. On Takehisa, I'm not a smith guy. I'm sure you'll find a bunch on him with the search window. Quote
hale1940 Posted December 17, 2020 Author Report Posted December 17, 2020 2 hours ago, Bruce Pennington said: The painted numbers were likely (only theory existing) by the shop that did the fittings. All officer blades varied in size and shape, so fittings were customized to each blade. Numbers were put on blade and fittings to keep them all together during the process. You can read a bunch on the W stamp here: THE MYSTERIOUS "W" STAMP! But the short version is that it was a mid-way/half-way inspection mark. It's still a bit of a mystery as to why it wasn't widely used and only a few smiths, plus the Mantestu blade (and of them, only a small percentage) had them. On Takehisa, I'm not a smith guy. I'm sure you'll find a bunch on him with the search window. Thanks for all the info Bruce. As usual I appreciate it! Quote
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