Arsenal Stamps.

[John C]

Here is the link to the completed auction.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/226567130030

 

John C.

[Kiipu]

7 hours ago, Bruce Pennington said:

I saw that, but was hesitant to log it as I really couldn't make it out.

 

The closest it could be is a katakana SO.  The tsuba also has a 63.  More than likely it is a subassembly number.

ソ63

[Bruce Pennington]

Thanks John!  For some reason, the number is more clear on the full nakago shot.

 

I agree Thomas, the marks look like "SO" katakana.  I have seen katakana + number on seppa and fittings, but I think this is the first one I've seen on a nakago, on a mumei Navy blade, that is.  I was wondering if it could be something in line with the Army practice, but the "So" isn't identified with a prefecture, yet, and with the blade being mumei, we can't even go by the prefecture of the smith.  It's stainless, so either Takayama, Tenshozan, or Seki.  And we don't have kana tied to those areas.  So, likely the fittings shop, like you said.

 

Update: After filing this, I found a good number of mumei stainless blades with numbers in the file and one, posted by @robinalexander had a ワ 119.  The rest were just numbers, but even that showed some variety in stamping method.  So, still likely done by the shops rather than the arsenal/forge.

[John C]

@Bruce Pennington

I know you have this in the stamp doc already, however I thought you might like another link to one. The bottom mark may be a bit more clear in this one.

 

John C.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/305777529373?

[Conway S]

The bottom mark is an anchor within sakura. More examples posted on page 47 of this thread. 
 

 

 

Conway 

[BANGBANGSAN]

@Bruce Pennington

Encircled カ　from Kanemune。NO photo of the other side.

 

[Bruce Pennington]

12 hours ago, John C said:

ruce Pennington

I know you have this in the stamp doc already, however I thought you might like another link to one.

Thanks John, I do like to file examples as we find them.

[Bruce Pennington]

41 minutes ago, BANGBANGSAN said:

Encircled カ　from Kanemune。

That's a new one for the "Unknown" files!

[Conway S]

On 2/4/2025 at 9:27 AM, Bruce Pennington said:

Thanks John and Thomas.  That single digit numbering, which can be alone or followed by another number is a mystery.  They are on blades from all over the place, so it doesn't appear to be the practice of a particular arsenal.  They are mostly Army, but I have three kaigunto with such a number too.  Posting what I have.  Other than the dated blades, they are not listed in a particular order:

 

1942, Jun	Kanenori (RJT) – Gifu	Na Ho 1 on mune
1942, Dec	Tenshozan Tanrenjo	1 on mune	Michaelr, NMB, kai

1942, Mar	Norisada (RJT) – Fukuoka	Na Ho 1  on mune	Leen, NMB
1942, May	Norisada (pre-RJT) – Fukuoka	Na Ho 3 on mune	K. Elliott, NMB
1942, Apr	Masakazu (RJT) – Fukushima	1129; “1” on mune	George Trotter, RS, tsuba/seppa ニ1129

1943, Jun	Sadakatsu (RJT) – Osaka	1阪 on mune Star	Ed Hicks, NMB, RS
1943, Aug	Hiromasa (RJT) – Ehime	Yama Ho 2 on mune	Itomagoi, NMB RS

1945	Okimitsu	江江1	Bangbangsan, NMB, Kai
ND	Masayasu – Aichi	2   55 on mune	Conway S, NMB, Kai

ND	Nagamitsu – Osaka	1阪3490 mune	VajS,NMB, RS
ND	Nagamitsu – Osaka	1阪3991 mune	mauser99; NMB

ND	Mumei	2  95 on mune	Unleasedndest, Gunboards
ND	Mumei	1  100 on mune	DTM72, NMB, RS
ND	Mumei	1 104 on mune	Bangbangsan, NMB, RS
ND	Mumei	3 on mune	Bangbangsan, NMB, RS

ND

Kiyomichi

1  66; stainless

GunBB, Gunboards, Kai

 

I can't argue with the guy's opinion of the blade, numbered "2  95" looking like a Nagamitsu, but the observed Nagamitsu with numbers all have a Saka stamp and a "1".

 

 

 

Here's another "1" on the mune of a Taguchi Masatsugu along with the double "ho" stamps. Date is April (uzuki) 1943. No star stamp.

 

 

[Bruce Pennington]

20 hours ago, Conway S said:

Taguchi Masatsugu along with the double "ho" stamps. Date is April (uzuki) 1943.

Thanks, Conway!  Could I get photos of the mei and date for the file?

[Conway S]

[BANGBANGSAN]

On 2/11/2025 at 1:02 AM, Bruce Pennington said:

That's a new one for the "Unknown" files!

It could be the mark of Kuwantung Army Ordnance Branch Depot