Type 98 Army “2600 Years of the Japanese Empire Commemorative”

[chgruener]

Hello all! Hope you guys are having a great weekend. I picked this Type 98 up this morning at a local show. Gentlemen claimed to have had this translated as “This sword  commemorates 2600 years of the Japanese Empire”. Smith is “Seki Ju Nin Kane Nari Saku”? Claimed to be hand hand but I am not sure and cannot tell easily. Any opinions and further information are welcome, thank you. 
 

2 more photos are attached at the end of this thread

[chgruener]

  On 11/13/2022 at 7:59 PM, chgruener said:

Hello all! Hope you guys are having a great weekend. I picked this Type 98 up this morning at a local show. Gentlemen claimed to have had this translated as “This sword  commemorates 2600 years of the Japanese Empire”. Smith is “Seki Ju Nin Kane Nari Saku”? Claimed to be hand Mande but I am not sure and cannot tell easily. Any opinions and further information are welcome, thank you. 
 

2 more photos are attached at the end of this thread

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[SteveM]

濃州関住人兼武之作　- Noshū Seki Jūnin Kanetake kore saku Made by Kanetake of Seki, Nōshū province)

皇紀二千六百年記念刀　- Kōki nisen roppyaku-nen kinentō (commemorative sword, 1940)

 

Edited to add the 之

[chgruener]

  On 11/13/2022 at 9:22 PM, SteveM said:

濃州関住人兼武作　- Noshū Seki Jūnin Kanetake-saku (Made by Kanetake of Seki, Nōshū province)

皇紀二千六百年記念刀　- Kōki nisen roppyaku-nen kinentō (commemorative sword, 1940)

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Neat, thanks Steve! Do you believe that this is this a machined blade or hand-made blade?

[PNSSHOGUN]

The presence of the 'Sho' stamp above the signature signifies this wasn't made traditionally. To clarify somewhat, these swords were still handmade with the help of machines. Anyway, a interesting sword and always nice to have commemorative inscriptions on good condition Type 98's.

[SteveM]

To add, I think people often assume too much in the difference between an arsenal blade and a traditionally made blade. I think they believe the value of a blade will double or triple if its traditionally made versus an arsenal blade. That may have been the case back in the last century, but nowadays well-made WW2 blades in well-preserved furnishings are very attractive to militaria collectors. And, as John says, swords with unusual inscriptions, or interesting furnishings, will always command higher-than-average prices. This sword has an Imperial Year inscription, which isn't so unusual, but its good enough to nudge it into the "nice to have" category. If the scabbard is in good condition and has a family crest on it, it goes even farther into the "nice to have" category. 

 

 

 

[tbonesullivan]

  On 11/14/2022 at 2:24 AM, SteveM said:

To add, I think people often assume too much in the difference between an arsenal blade and a traditionally made blade. I think they believe the value of a blade will double or triple if its traditionally made versus an arsenal blade. That may have been the case back in the last century, but nowadays well-made WW2 blades in well-preserved furnishings are very attractive to militaria collectors. And, as John says, swords with unusual inscriptions, or interesting furnishings, will always command higher-than-average prices. This sword has an Imperial Year inscription, which isn't so unusual, but its good enough to nudge it into the "nice to have" category. If the scabbard is in good condition and has a family crest on it, it goes even farther into the "nice to have" category. 

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This is very true. Even Type 95 NCO swords were starting to get close to the price of worn condition P-1944 Shin-Gunto for a while. The WWII collector market remains strong, and a good WWII connection, especially a bring back box or paper, can add more to the value than a traditionally made blade, within reason.