Can you help translate the Mei please

[Erwin]

Hi all

 

I came across this Gunto but the balde has no arsenal stamp and might be crafted pre-war

Can someone help in translating the signature please 

 

your help is much appreciated, thank you

best regards

Erwin

[ChrisW]

The mei looks pretty chippy and the nakago looks like its been cleaned. Can we get closeups of the blade too? Any discernible hamon?

[Erwin]

Hi Chris,

 

that is indeed an absolute concern and you are absolutely right on the state of the nakago

below a few pictures of the hamon which looks pronounced

 

thank you for your feedback, highly appreciated

 

best regards

Erwin

 

[ChrisW]

Can we get a view of the entire blade taken straight on? So we can see the overall shape (sugata). It looks like it has a fairly weak sori (curvature).

Also, the hamon looks fairly interesting. My impression is that the blade is traditionally made and likely late Edo.

A picture like this would be helpful:

[Erwin]

Hi Chris

 

Indeed, there is not much curvature on the blade. Attached the pictures I could find

 

thank you again And best regards

erwin

[ChrisW]

Well, my guess is that the blade is also original length.  But my opinion is probably also ill-informed. The mei looks chippy and being that it is only two-kanji is either gimei or from a lesser-known smith. Someone has recently cleaned the nakago and thus stripped the patina and a powerful tool for informing us of the proper age. So we're left with the signature and sugata to hazard a guess.

I believe it is at the very least traditionally made judging from the workmanship in the hamon and what little patina remains in the nakago. It lacks the characteristic dark peaks in the hamon that an oil-quench has.

I could also be entirely wrong. I would wait on board members that have more experience than I and can offer you a translation. Especially if this is something you are considering purchasing.

[Erwin]

Thank you Chris for all the time and  spend on this.

always amazed by the enormous pool of knowledge in this group and the willingness to help, so thank you

Indeed, the sword is offered for purchasing and ai am still looking for a family blade refurbished for the WO2 but certainly not desperate on this . Time enough

i am also looking at what seems to be a 17 century blade in WOll mountings which is interesting. That apparently is a Tachi version in WOll gunto mounting but bares no signature to be sure. Anyhow, more to study on

 

 

have a great day and thank you again

Erwin

[ChrisW]

Any good knowledge I can claim to know I learned from watching and reading the stuff the more knowledgeable gentlemen post here. I would wait until you hear about the signature and from more informed individuals.

[SteveM]

正延 Masanobu

Swordsmith who Jinsoo Kim (sometimes contributor to this board) lists as WW2-era Seki smith.

 

http://www.jp-sword.com/files/seki/gendaito.html

[uwe]

Looks “正延” (Masanobu) to me.

[ChrisW]

Well, there you go! I was proven wrong on my guess of age.

[Erwin]

Thank you all for your help, very much appreciated and with the information you all so kindly provided.

 

have a great day 

 

best regards

erwin