Please help translate this signature

[ChadleyRJL]

Hello everyone,

I have a blade that belongs to my elderly neighbor who's husband acquired it in Japan. She is in need of financial assistance and asked me to help her see if it has any value.

 

I tried doing some research on Ebay, and other websites but could not find anything on it.

 

If somebody can please help me identify the signature on this blade it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all for your time and expertise.

[ROKUJURO]

Chadley,

it is not a SAMURAI sword but a military blade from WWII, made 1943. The maker is not necessarily a swordsmith as these blades were not traditionally made.
His name is MASA....but I'll have to leave the second character open to be read by the experts.
 

[Stephen]

Better shot of the stamp is needed 

@Bruce Pennington

Does it match any of these?

 

[xiayang]

42 minutes ago, ROKUJURO said:

His name is MASA....

 

Looks like 正廣 = Masahiro,

 

probably Hattori Masahiro (服部正廣).

[ChadleyRJL]

Wow, thank you guys I'm impressed with the quick response. The tang stamp looks like its in bad shape, like maybe half of it got stamped or some maybe got scuffed off.

 

It does look like a square shaped stamp though. I will try to get a better pic of it.

[DTM72]

Looks like the seki stamp. Commonly struck at an angle.

As mentioned above, this is a machine made Army sword made in 1943. Being machine made and not in the original Gunto mounts, depending on condition of the blade it is worth $500-$1000.

[ChadleyRJL]

Here are some more clearer pics if it helps.

 

P.S. Another thing, she had another sword left from her husband that is not in a wooden sheath.

 

Its in a black scabbard with 2 rings and a decorative handle, and that one seems to have a Seki arsenal stamp.

 

[ChadleyRJL]

[ChadleyRJL]

Thank you DTM72 for the quick response, that info is good to know. Thank you everyone for all your help!

 

Sorry to bombard with all the pics at the end.

[DTM72]

The two characters are the signature of the sanity who made this in the factory, Masahiro

The other 4 characters are Showa Ju Hachi Nen (Showa time period, Ju hachi is 18, Nen is year) 18th year of Showa = 1943

 

Post overall pics of the other one. Sounds like it might be WWII Navy.

 

Lastly, there is a sales section of this board. If she should want to sell, there may be people who are willing to buy.

 

Dan

[Stephen]

Let's see the other sword, with two rings it may be Navy

[ChadleyRJL]

You guys are awesome! Here is the other sword.

[ChadleyRJL]

[ChadleyRJL]

[ChadleyRJL]

[ChadleyRJL]

[ChadleyRJL]

[ChadleyRJL]

[ChadleyRJL]

I meant to send this pic first, this is the rest of everything shes got.

[mecox]

Chadley, looks like Yoshishige 良重  Komiyama Ryozou 小見 山良造 (or Yoshizou).  Born Meiji 35 (1902) January 19, and registered as a Seki tosho on Showa 17 (1942) November 1 age about 40.   He was from Seki-machi, Tokiwa-cho.  I need to check this.  The date is 1943 (Ju hachi nen) but cant decipher his month/day.  Blade has Seki stamp.  Sesko has him listed as:

YOSHISHIGE (良重), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Yoshishige” (良重), real name Komiyama Ryōzō (小宮山良造).  Below some examples from Fuller & Gregory, 1983.

 

                           

 

[mecox]

some more Yoshishige:

Ryoju Naval Officer Military Sword Sword | Hocho Kobido (bocho-kobidou.com)

 

刀　良重　昭和十八年　 Katana[Yoshisshige]日本刀　刀剣販売 サムライ商会[samurai shokai]

 

Military Sword (Front) Ryoshige (Back) Showa 19 Years Army Sword Entry - Art * Sword * Specialty * Auction! WINNERS (winners-auction.jp)

 

Former Japan Army Army Army Sword Yoshishige with registration certificate 62.3cm Total length 103cm Leather sheath Sword brace scabbard handle 鍔軍服刀緒 (sword, sword)|Auction information bought and sold, Yahoo product information archive release --Oakfan (aucfan.com)

 

other swords below

 

        

[Bruce Pennington]

14 hours ago, Stephen said:

Does it match any of these?

 

13 hours ago, DTM72 said:

Looks like the seki stamp.

Yes, at first I thought it was the small Seki, but then I realized it was just the top, right quarter of the large Seki stamp.

 

Unusual to see the large Seki struck that deeply.

 

@ChadleyRJL - Smiths in the Seki area made blades for both Army and Navy.  Your top one is in a "resting case" called shirasaya.  Nice way to protect the blade from the elements.

 

The second sword is Japanese Naval Officer sword called kaigunto. "Gun" is Army; "to" is sword - so "gunto" is Army Sword.  For some reason they tacked "kai" (navy) onto gunto, so kaigunto for Navy sword.

 

The slim sword in the last photo group is the Type 19 Army dress (or parade) sword.  Not a battle weapon, just worn for show, formal occasions, photos, etc.

 

For your neighbor, the rough values:

Masahiro in shirasaya - $900 - 1,000 (assuming the blade is in good shape)

Yoshishige kaigunto - $1,800 - 2,400

Type 19 dress saber - $250

[ChadleyRJL]

I'm blown away with the knowledge, and willingness to help from you all. This forum is great! All this information will really help her out.

 

You mentioned there is a sales section of this board. I have never sold on a forum before, how would I go about doing that?

In your experience is the sales section a good place to sell or would Ebay be better?

 

Thank you guys so much!

[Bruce Pennington]

You can review several of the swords for sale here, and see how they are presented.

 

Swords and Edged Weapons - Nihonto Message Board (militaria.co.za)

 

Ebay has a much broader viewership, but they have built-in charges that will cost you money or force you to crank up your price to account for the fees you'll pay.  If I really needed the money, I'd try both let the first comers win.

[ChadleyRJL]

Perfect! Again thank you guys for all the help. It was cool to learn something new too.