Two type 98 swords

[Polaria]

I recently bought to Type 98s, both from reputable antique shops. The first one is signed, but looks like it was made from billet steel. It came with papers to it, what might be original tassel and a second tsuba. However, it lacks the original locking mechanism and when I disassembled it, one of the bottom seppa was stuck so hard  I could not get the tsuba removed. 

[Polaria]

The second one came as shown, with a tassel that looks a bit too new to be original. The blade is unsigned but has clear hamon and a couple of little pieces of slag in it. The handle came off easily enough but unfortunately the hawaii has been glued to place and I did not want to do anything to it right now.

[dwmc]

Signed sword is Sukemitsu.

 

Showa 18th year~1943

[Bruce Pennington]

September 1943

 

Mikko,

Interesting civil tsuba with that first one.  Is the one still on it a standard Army tsuba, or something civil, too?

 

Also, the small stamp about the date is the NA of the Nagoya Army Arsenal.  Your photo cuts off the top of the nakago on the mei side.  Is ther a stamp up higher?

[Polaria]

I had a little more time today, so I finally knocked the first sword fully apart. Here are pictures of tsuba, other parts and the stamp. There are no other stamps anywhere in the tang.

[Bruce Pennington]

Thanks for checking, Mikko!