Shin Gunto identification of smith?

[Herr Mann]

Gentlemen,

 

I got this Shin-Gunto sword, some time ago and was wondering about what the tang inscription tells us...

Strangely enough, some of the writing is in paint..

Many thanks for any help with this.

 

Best regards,

 

Herman

 

 

[Kiipu]

A very common maker of economy swords for the war effort.  Note the M inspection mark at the very bottom of the tang on the signature side.

武久 = Takehisa.

昭和十八年春 = 1943 Spring.

Black paint: 五六七 = 567.

[mecox]

Herman, made gunto in the war, possibly for an arsenal.  He was in Aichi Prefecture.  As Thomas @Kiipunotes:  武久 = Takehisa,  昭和十八年春 = 1943 Spring (he likes to sign with year and season) and black paint: 五六七 = 567 ( this is to match blade with fittings).  Not much info on him, but looks to be solid workmanship.   The stamp is of note, but could be "M" or "W" (maybe for Nagoya arsenal)  Some more info in this download:  

 

Plus  some more examples:

 

 

 

 

[Bruce Pennington]

I only have 4 other blades of his on file with the "M" stamp, and all of them are "Autumn 1943."  Yours is the first Spring date I've recorded.

[Herr Mann]

Kiipu, Mecox, Bruce,

 

Thank you very much for your valuable comments and information about this sword!

 

This is a great forum with very helpful people, you should be very proud about yourselves!

 

Kind regards,

 

Herman

[Bruce Pennington]

Update: Don't know how I missed it, but I do have another Spring - Spring 1944, posted by @thenamesbob

[pc3319]

Hello I picked this up at a show and was hoping to find out what it says. It should be  WW2 vintage 

 

[BANGBANGSAN]

2 hours ago, pc3319 said:

Hello I picked this up at a show and was hoping to find out what it says. It should be  WW2 vintage 

 

関住森俊治作 Sekiju Mori Toshiharu Saku

[John C]

10 hours ago, pc3319 said:

It should be  WW2 vintage

Paul:

You are correct about WW2 vintage. The stamp is the Showa stamp used early on. Unfortunately, the stamp does not tell us anything about the metals used, just that it was tested for quality.

John C.