WW2 Military Sword - Please assist in identifying

[Arty A]

Would very much appreciate assistance in identifying details about this sword. Not in very good condition by the looks of it.

[David Flynn]

Nakago (Tang) is upside down and hard to read.  I think it could be Ido Hidetoshi.

[Arty A]

Apologies for bad pic David... here it is character by character... hope its more readable this time. I collect Japanese prints primarily so really don't know much about swords and their value... appreciate your assistance.

[Kiipu]

It is a Type 98 Army officer's sword.  The tang is marked as 村井秀次作.  I think this is a Seki swordsmith and @mecox should be able to confirm if so.

秀次 = Hidetsugu.

 

Cross-reference to another Hidetsugu sword.

2 swords .need help translating

[Arty A]

Thank you very much for your reply

 

[mecox]

Arty, as Kiipu says   村井秀次作  "Murai Hidetsugu saku"   family name is Murai  and Hidetsugu is given name which he also signs on sword.  He was born Taisho 2 (1913) October 23 and registered as a swordsmith in Seki Showa 16 (1941) March 12. 

He was from Minami, Bugi-gun which appears to be in northern Gifu higher country.  Looks to be a basic Showato maker and not to have formally trained as a swordsmith.  Not many examples but can find if search NMB.

[Kiipu]

 Mal, I knew you would have the skinny on this hillbilly swordsmtih!

 

Arthur, I found you another Hidetsugu to look at.  Other than these two plus yours, I can find no more.  Thanks for sharing pictures of a rather hard to find smith.

WWII Guntō - My grandfather received this surrendered Japanese sword while serving in WWII.

[Bruce Pennington]

@Arty A - Arthur, could you post a couple of clear shots of the metal parts that seem to be painted gold?  I have been loosely tracking gold-painted gunto for quite some time, and yours is obviously not a post-war paint job.  In the early stages, everyone wrote them off as post-war Bubba work, and certainly some might be.  Some, I have been told, were painted by theater groups for plays (kings didn't use Army green swords!), and that is likely true as well.  But I've seen enough of them, like yours that look to have been done during the war.

[Arty A]

Here are some pics of the gold as requested - 

 

I am also looking to understand the value of this sword, and where the best place to sell it would be. Any ideas?

 

regards

 

Arthur