Identification of WW2-era sword

[crazytaco]

Hello,

New member here. I recently inherited this WW2 blade from a family member, who passed it down from a WW2 veteran who stated he picked it up during the Pacific theater. The blade is in excellent shape for it's age, and the scabbard includes a bullet hole and what appears to be some dried blood, so I don't really question it's authenticity. Miraculously, there is no actual damage to the blade itself. I was able to (safely and carefully) remove the grip to expose the tang, and I was wondering if anyone could assist with translating or identifying it? Thank you so much, it would mean a lot to my family to know. I would also be interested in sourcing some of the parts that might be missing, because the grip itself is worn down and there is no tassle or wrapped cloth on it. Is there any apparent value to the blade?

 

I have higher quality photos, just had to compress to get it into the post.

[Stephen]

Blade up tang down when showing sword nakago

[Stephen]

PS  crop out the background  after reversing.

it's a seki blade  does it have a small stamp above the mei?

[Bruce Pennington]

Fixing photos

 

Date is 1942, someone can get the smith for you.

[mecox]

Noshu Seki Ju Kanenaga Saku

 

http://www.japaneses...shigata/kanenag4.jpg

 

[Bruce Pennington]

We wourd rearry appreciate some photos of the fittings too.

 

WWII gunto run in a range of $900-$1,800 USD, depending upon many factors.  I'm out of time today, or I'd discuss your quest for parts and a re-wrap.  Maybe someone can point you in the right direction.  

[crazytaco]

Thank you all for your input!!!

 

Give me a couple of days to get some better photos for you. I will try to take it apart again. The lock button to attach to the scabbard is still all functional. The grip is down to some kind of beaded white plastic wrap? At the end of the scabbard, there is a ring missing it looks like. I believe this was picked up in Guam in 1944.

 

I apologize for my ignorance as I have no knowledge of Japanese language and just recently inherited it. I am trying to research more on my own as I go along. Is "Noshu Seki Ju Kanenaga Saku" someone's name? I read in another thread that a Seki stamp is some kind of regional acceptance?

 

[John C]

1 hour ago, crazytaco said:

"Noshu Seki Ju Kanenaga Saku" someone's name? I read in another thread that a Seki stamp is some kind of regional acceptance?

The smith's name is Kanenaga. It basically translates to Kanenaga from Seki made this. The Seki stamp would be a military inspection stamp.

The date would be read Sho+wa+10+7+year+4+month = Showa 17 (1942), April.

 

John C.

[Bruce Pennington]

And I don't see a Seki stamp.  If you see one, please post a clear photo of it?  The city name "Seki" is part of the mei, the inscription.  Yours may not be stamped.  You might slide the handguard and spacers down/off, though, and check.  Sometimes a stamp can be hidden under them.  Here's an example of what the stamp looks like.