Need Help!

[jbennet3200]

Hello everyone, i spent a few hours looking through kanji but haven't had any luck. I thought i would see if you fine folks could help me out. This was a bring back from my grandfather who was stationed in the Pacific during WW2.

 

 

Thanks in advance for any information you can give me!

[jbennet3200]

here are the same pictures, but darkened somewhat so the kanji is easier to see.

 

[Mark]

can't make out the first 2 but the maker looks like Norisada

[chrisf]

Smith is Kato Norisada,received swordsmith's licence 11th September 1943,worked in Seki.

[k morita]

Hi,

Agreed, Kato Norisada.

[george trotter]

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d189/ ... 37_569.jpg

 

Hi jbennet3200,

The tsuba (sword guard) in this pic seems to be an unknown type...can you post a clear pic of it please...may be an unknown WWII military variation, I know I have not seen it before.

Thanks

[jbennet3200]

sure thing, thanks for the replies! here a few more pictures i took today.

 

 

also what would you recommend for cleaning the tarnish off? Also there are a few places on the blade like this

what can i use to polish those out? or should i leave it alone?

[Grey Doffin]

Hi, name please,

Best to leave it alone. Uchiko and soft paper (tissue) are OK but anything more aggressive will only lead to grief and diminished value. Here is a link to a care and etiquette brochure.

http://www.nbthk-ab.org/Etiquette.htm

Grey

[george trotter]

About the tsuba, I haven't seen this type before, but seems to be a WWII variation of the military type. The seppa (washers) have a hole in them for the spring clip, but the tsuba does not...possibly a mix and match during/after the war. Thanks for showing us.