WW2 Japanese NLF sword

[Swords]

I’m looking to verify help with signature and date 

Any help is appreciated 

[Bruce Pennington]

Hi Steven,

This was made (date upside down) March 1944.  Someone will have to help with the mei (maybe Masatomo? But I'm not good at mei).

 

On another note, this is not an NLF sword.  Never used by the navy.  It comes by many names, since for decades no one really knew what they were.  Nick Komiya found the documents and history of them, though, a couple years back.  They were a contingency model produced for the Army, designed to cost less but be more durable in the field.  Since there is no real name for them, they are now called Contingency Model, or Japanese version - Rinji seishiki.  Thomas calls them a Type 100 as they were officially announced in 1940.  You can read all about them:

 

Not a "Type 3"

 

and 

 

Unveiling the Rinjiseishiki in 1940

[xiayang]

I believe the mei is 

 

東神正茂作 = Tōshin Masashige saku

 

See also this old thread:

 

[Swords]

Thanks to all for help with the mei

bruce Eric has one listed on EBay his is NLF 

or states NFL mounts So what’s the difference? To me there similar 

 

 

 

 

Steve

 

[Swords]

Bruce I just read the entire article interesting not a type 3 Basically cheaper to make and more durable for war although the type 98 had to be worn for dress

Good info Bruce 

[Bruce Pennington]

19 hours ago, Swords said:

one listed on EBay his is NLF 

or states NFL mounts So what’s the difference?

This is quite common.  Mostly, I don't think many collectors, or sellers, know of the history.  Even when they do, I still see them use such terms most likely because there are certain names prospective buyers use to google search.  Type 44, Type 3, Late-war Army, NLF, Marine Landing Sword are the most common names used for this style, so sellers will put such names in the titles to draw in searches.

 

I know a seller that puts all sorts of names in his titles, even though I know he knows the names are inaccurate, like "WWII Japanese officer NCO shingunto sword", just to maximize the search engine results.

[Swords]

Thanks Bruce sorry for not getting back sooner Good information 

do you know the name of the seller?

[Bruce Pennington]

On 2/24/2024 at 8:12 AM, Swords said:

do you know the name of the seller?

I do,  We can talk via PM if necessary.  But he doesn't sell bad swords, He sells legit stuff.  I just don't care for the marketing technique.  It's promoted by ebay.  When you post something for sale, they recommend putting as many descriptive words in the title as possible to draw more views from searches.  And so, he does!  Lots of words that may or may not have anything to do with the actual sword being posted.  His item description is always accurate.  It's just the title that can be overly loose.

[Swords]

Bruce Not sure what you mean by overly loose 

Next question is it worth 3600 via PayPal F&F

[Bruce Pennington]

I'm not a gendaito follower, so one of those guys will have to advise.  Seems a bit high, unless he's a well respected smith.  Gendaito in RS fittings tend to be more in the $2,400 range, in general.  But take my opinion with a grain of salt, as I don't know gendaito nor this smith.

[vajo]

Type3 

 

Nothing else. 

 

When someone wrotes nlf i allways think he has no clue.

 

The other terms like RS are total strange and sounds odd. 

[John C]

5 hours ago, Swords said:

overly loose

Steve:

In that one particular auction from Eric you referenced above, he mentions the word "minty" 9 times in the description, though he is not selling mouthwash. He also uses the word "samurai" in the title when he knows perfectly well it was not and could not have been used by a samurai warrior. As Bruce noted above, sellers use words that attract unknowledgeable buyers to increase viewer traffic. So his use of NLF and other words are for marketing only. This is the "overly loose" use of words to attract buyers.

Hope this helps,

John C.

[tbonesullivan]

Isn't that the type of Rinji Seikishi used on the RJT swords? The textured lacquered scabbard, "cup" shaped seppa, the lacquered ito and shape of the tsuka. It's definitely not the "run of the mill" "P-1944" which has the tan finished steel scabbard.

 

Those usually go for a lot more than the "P-1944" with the arsenal blades, though that's subject to the condition of the blade, as always.

[Swords]

Lots of information to chew on I think for me is best to read more books As I have bought 5 

Im not going to jump on another sword unless I know what I’m buying and price is right 

But thanks for everyone s comments I didn’t know it wasn’t considered a nlf so thanks for the clarification