Emergency Issue ww2 Katana (Tang Stamp ID?)

[AlphaRaider]

Hey Everyone,

 

Pictures a of a possible late WW2 "Island Sword"  If any one has ideas on the tang stamp please fell free to share them. I know a few links have ben shared on a different post. 

( I didn't want to over take it with my questions and pictures)

 

These were the best images I could get with my camera.

 

It seems that roughly 4 swords have been spotted with this mark since 2015 Some have been signed some were not. So far no one is sure where the mark is from geographically or the smith / shop.

 

"Made in Japanese occupied islands to replace lost of damaged swords using in field forges with some original parts. Few ever survived."

 

- Suguha Hamon on the blade.
- Leather Saya combat wrap
- White Rayskin
- Brass or Copper cherry blossom menuki.
- Correct wrapping style.
 

[AlphaRaider]

Here are the handle and fittings with a macro lens. 

[AlphaRaider]

Few images of the blade.

[Bruce Pennington]

Got a chance to meet Jonathan recently.  A fine young man with a new appetite for Japanese swords!  Let's all feed his burgeoning addiction! Ha!

 

I also got the honor of examining this sword.  It's not a fake.  Nice weight to it.  Visible yakote and suguha hamon.  The mune of the blade tip has the standard flair-out (I think there's a word for that).  Yet, the machi are slightly offset, like with see on Chinese fakes.  So, I think this was made in China, during the occupation, either for a Japanese soldier, or for forces working with the Japanese. 

 

I know we discussed this on the previous thread, but I wanted to add my in-hand observations for the record.

[Kiipu]

20 hours ago, AlphaRaider said:

It seems that roughly 4 swords have been spotted with this mark since 2015.

 

To clarify your statement, the one via @Stegel came from Japan at the end of the war.  I agree more or less with Bruce in that these could have been manufactured in China during the war of 1937-1945.

 

On 11/20/2018 at 4:54 PM, Stegel said:

His father brought these back from Japan after the war ended.  He knew nothing about them as a collector would have, so I have no reason to doubt him.

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