"He didn't want any old thieving F***** getting it when he karked it" - 55/53rd Battalion Bring Back

[Fusilier]

G'day Guy's

 

I recently purchased this Showa era Gunto with the intention of listing it.  I was approached by the owner who'd been given it by an old neighbour and now wanted to sell it.  He told me that his neighbor, when he was growing up, had served with the 55/53rd Battalion, 2AIF in New Guniea during WW2 and had picked up the sword then. He knew the ex-digger as 'Mr King', and thinks his first name was 'Norm' but wasn't sure.  Apparently he used to tell the seller stories about the Kokoda Track, and when he was taken into care he gave the sword to the seller as he: "didn't want any old thieving F***** getting it when he karked it".   I'd be grateful for any information anyone may have on either the sword or Mr King. Unfortunately, the Australian National Archives - NameSearch function isn't working at the moment as that would have been my first port of call.

 

If anyone can tell me what the inscriptions are and what the showa stamp indicates? I'd also be interested on information on the leather sword knot and whether its an indicator of rank or such like.

[Fusilier]

A few more:

[Fusilier]

[xiayang]

The blade is signed

 

兼宗 = Kanemune

 

and dated

 

昭和十八年十一月 = November of Shōwa 18 (1943 CE).

[Fusilier]

Thanks Jan,

 

Really appreciate that.

 

That date would indicate that King picked up this sword after the Kokoda Campaign.

 

Cheers David

[John C]

13 hours ago, Fusilier said:

showa stamp indicates

The small stamp is a Na stamp from Nagoya Arsenal. Not sure about the tassel. The only braided ones I have seen were on US marine swords, however I don't study those so one of the other folks will know more than me about it.

 

John C.

[Fusilier]

4 hours ago, John C said:

The small stamp is a Na stamp from Nagoya Arsenal. Not sure about the tassel. The only braided ones I have seen were on US marine swords, however I don't study those so one of the other folks will know more than me about it.

 

John C.

Thanks John, the tassel is clearly old, but I've not seen anything like it before. That said, like you, I'm not an expert on them.  Hopefully someone will know.

 

Cheers David

[John C]

This is like the one I was thinking of.

 

John C

[Fusilier]

13 hours ago, John C said:

This is like the one I was thinking of.

 

John C

I think you might be onto something there, it certainly looks very similar, where does that photo and sword originate from ?

[John C]

4 hours ago, Fusilier said:

where does that photo and sword originate from ?

Here is the link to the pic above and a couple of pics for more info:

https://www.ima-usa....riant=31929925304389

 

John C.

[Fusilier]

Thanks John,

 

That's definitely the one.  I suspect, but I suppose we will never know, that it was attached as its the most basic (and cheapest) sword knot you could find.  I suppose, its possible the original Japanese owner came across one, in the Philipines or the like, but I doubt it.

 

I've said it before, and it bears repeating, the breadth of knowledge and experience on this site and the members generous approach to sharing it, are unparalleled.

 

With reference to the smith Kanemune.  I've attempted to research him and have found an arsenal sword smith from Seki in Gifu prefecturea called Kanemune, son of Fukumoto Amahide. It seems he worked with and signed many works for his father and is reported to have made both gendai and Showato blades.  He's also reported to have used a ‘Chimata’ stamp which I believe may indicate that the maker was a member of the Gifu Sword Maker's Guild although I cant see evidence of it on this blade.  Do you know any more?

 

Thanks again Mate.

 

Cheers David