Kai Gunto help needed

[Brian]

Stumbled into this one recently, out of the blue. Although almost all of my swords are Gendaito or antiques, I did want to get one example of the common main military patterns, and aside from a nice Kyu Gunto, I was missing a Kai Gunto. Not common here at all.
It's a Seki Showato blade. Perhaps someone can help with the mei.
My question regards the fittings. I am used to most Kai Gunto pics having the sunray o-seppa. I think this is a bit of a parts sword, as there are a few regular but large seppa, and only a number on the tsuba. One leather seppa. I'm assuming someone added seppa to tighten it up. But was wondering if this would have had the ray o-seppa?
Do the other fittings look ok and original? If the parts are put together, I may look at getting the correct seppa.
Nothing too fancy, but I like it. Fills the gap, and for very, very little money.
Thanks all.

 

 

[Conway S]

Brian,

 

Hattori Masahiro. Sometimes the late war kai gunto lack the rising sun seppa and the fittings resemble the set up found on the souvenir swords. 

 

Conway

[RobCarter3]

I think your hunch is correct that the o-seppa are missing and that someone added seppa to tighten the sword up. The thick seppa do not appear to be sized for this sword. 
 

The rest of the rig looks nice with decent rayskin and strict navy-style hiramaki wrap with the knot on top. I think you did well for very, very cheap. 

You should be able to find a pair of o-seppa without much difficulty. 

 

[Bruce Pennington]

This does have the appearance that suggests war kaigunto.  At first, I was thinking something custom, but I can't say I've ever seen any without the daiseppa that weren't late war.  The large seki stamp has been seen as late as 1944, so it's feasible.   

 

Masahiro must have been a prolific smith.  I have 26 of his blades on file.

[Brian]

Thanks all. Appreciate it. Yes..I do suspect it had the 2 Kai Gunto o-seppa at some point. I guess I'll be looking out for a set and see if I can get them to SA. Rest of the fittings look original.
I would guess that Masahiro was a workshop more than just a single smith. Maybe a number of workers making swords in a workshop and being signed by him.
If it's true that he had a workshop at Takayama prison, then likely that prisoners were making swords under his direction and maybe they were signed by him.
Resemblance to Emura's efforts, but more mass produced and not Gendaito.
Sword was part of a larger deal for knives and militaria, and will be able to sell the other stuff for more, so it's essentially at no cost. Can't beat that price

[Kiipu]

濃州関住服部正廣作 Nōshū Seki-jū Hattori Masahiro saku.