Brian Wolfe

Hi Rob, I started to go through my reference material which is all over the house at the moment and I did find out something. The mark on your blade and mine may be the Koishikawa Arsenal mark which would place the manufacture of the blade before 1936. I have included a photo of the marks on the fuchi of my sword. Reading from left to right the first mark is the Tokyo Arsenal mark, followed by that same mark on our blades (Koishikawa Arsenal?) and ending with the Osaka Arsenal mark. This sword was probably assembled in several plants resulting in the three marks. If anyone has more accurate information please enlighten us. The fuchi on your sword looks to be iron which I would think is a later assembly. The blade is marked the same as mine but as the war wore on copper was in greater demand so I would guess they switched to the iron fuchi when yours was assembled. Also please note the difference in the tsuba (guard) yours is black iron and mine is brass. This would indicate that your sword was assembled later in the war. Your tsuba is more like the old original swords of ancient times, they were often black iron. Forgive me if I sound off like an expert. I am not and my information should be "tested". Thanks for giving me a reason to get back to research and playing with my swords again. I love this hobby! And this great forum! Cheers Brian

Here are three more. The top one is an original blade from the 1650s. I'll post that one in more detail on another day. The middle one is an original blade also from the 1650s with the hilt of the Rosso-Japanese War period. This one was posted earlier in detail. The bottom one is my No-datchi. I don't think it is original as they quit making them in the 1390s. I will post this one in detail later with the hope someone can help with the identification. I hope you liked my collection. Cheers Brian

Here are two patterns of the WW II NCO sword. The aluminum and the wood handle. Brian

This next photo is of the end of the war example and is not of the best manufacture, however it is part of the history of the WW II Japanese sword. The weapon below in the same rack is from India. Brian

I am just setting up a new room for my collection so it looks rather empty at the moment. I basically only have the Japanese swords out, it will take time to set up the room properly. Here is some more of my small collection. The first photo was of the Army Officers pattern and the Naval Officer's pattern. This photo is of the calvary swords (two patterns) from the Russo-Japanese War and the WW II NCO parade sword. Brian

Hi Rob, I don't know what the mark stands for, it's not in any of my reference books. I'll post a photo of the markings on my sword. I have a few photos on my collection that I will post first. Cheers Brian

Hi Rob, New Hamburg is near Kitchener Ontario. I have posted several photos of my collection under the edge weapons section, I believe. I must have been tired last night when I left the post as I said the marks are on the habaki. Actualy they are usualy on the copper band on the handle side of the guard. This is called the fuchi on the older swords. I'll try to post some photos of my collection as a whole later. Cheers Brian

Hi Rob, Now you're talking swords! Very nice NCO's shin-gunto. I have one with the same mark on the blade and can not identify it. I suspect it is an inspection or acceptance mark as it is not one of the marks used by the arsenals, or at least not a common one. Are there any marks on the habaki (the brass sleeve before the guard)? This is where you will usually find the arsenal marks. Good to see the matching accountability numbers. It always amazed and even amused me somewhat that with the national movement to everything Japanese during this period that they would use a Western numbering system on the blade and scabbard. Congrats on a very nice addition to your collection. Cheers Brian

Hi Carol, I would be very careful about taking this or anything to any so-called jeweler, at least here in Canada. The trade has deteriorated to jewelery sellers and not what we were used to decades ago. I have heard many horror stories of botched watch and ring repairs by these "jewelers". Perhaps it is different in the rest of the world but I wouldn't trust these trinket merchants unless you know for sure that they are true professionals. The other thing to take into consideration is whether you are prepared to take the chance that even a true professional will not break the tips of the swords off in the process. At the moment you have a piece that is at least whole. I think it is worth more as it is, both for it's historic and monitary value. Would you be happy with it in pieces? If not then don't risk it. Cheers Brian

Hello Everyone, I see there is a second thread on the board dealing with this topic and I have responded to it. However, I would like to add something else and it is best posted here. Restoration is an interesting topic especially when it comes to should we or shouldn't we. I have been involved with many historic buildings in my career. The Heritage folks want to restore them and developers want to tear them down. Keep and restore or remove and replace? That in itself has kept municipal councils busy over the years. The topic that causes even more argument and this is the issue here, is do we restore the building or leave it as is and just preserve and maintain it. Paintings and artifacts also fall under this topic of restore or preserve. I have listened to both arguments in the council chambers and in committee meetings and both sides have very convincing views. I was once a builder and my first thought about old buildings used to be, get me a bulldozer and I'll show you "restoration" you son of a ......! Of course that was based on financial considerations. After being involved in historical buildings and their artifacts for a while I gained an appresiation for what they were and what the mean for future generations. If it were up to me I would restore the buildings but the artifacts I would leave as is. Most of the medals I can afford come with replaced ribbons from the dealer. These are usually Indian or Pakistani medals. I see many groups for sale from India with the original ribbons and if I ever get one I will not replace the ribbons as I believe they would be the original ribbons of the soldier who won them. To think that a brave soldier held these medals and their ribbons in his hands gives it a whole new meaning to me. I posted a medal a few monts ago on our forum that had a number scratch into it. If I could have removed this number so that you could not have been able to know it was ever on the medal I probably would have done so. When I posted it the members pointed out that this was a number scratched into the medal by a pawn shop. I would have removed part of the history of the medal. Removing history, what a crime if that case. I came close to making a big mistake, therefore I decided right there and then that I would not restore but preserve. Thanks again GMIC. Cheers Brian

Hello Bifter, You should NOT feel insulted by what the members have posted regarding your topic. On the contrary you are to be applauded for posting something that stirs the blood of our fellow members. Passion is something that is lacking in many people and collectors of military history, and historical topics in general, are very passionate in their beliefs. My short term memory may not be what it was but I don't think anyone said that YOU should or should not have restored the medal. I believe they have only stated that THEY would or would not have done this. Another thing to remember is that one of the short comings of any email-style communication is that the recipient can not see the facial expressions, body language or hear the tone of the voice of the sender. Many an in-office fued has started because someone misinterpeted what was meant in an email. On this forum, or any email, we only get to use one of our senses and we are creatures who need all of our senses to communicate properly. Could you imagine world leaders using only email to communicate? We would be in a global war within seconds of the first internet message! From your response I must assume you too are a collector with a great deal of passion for your hobby. Good for you! Cheers Brian

Hello everyone, Ed brings up an interesting point regarding the ownership of military medals. When I was much younger an older collector told me that we don't own these medals, we are just their caretakers. At the time I thought he was a bit senile. Now that I have gained a few more years under my belt (and pounds) I know what he was saying. We are the caretakers of these treasures and some day they will pass from our hands to another. What we do to restore, if we decide to do so, should be recorded somewhere for future caretakers. One of the things we often ignor as collectors is the cataloging of our collections. Cheers Brian

Hi Jim, Good start indeed, what a great medal. I've pretty well given up hope of owning one, maybe in the next life time. Welcome to the forum. Cheers Brian

Hi Colin, That was quite informative. Thanks very much. Cheers Brian

Many thanks. That was what I thought you would say and I shall follow that advice. It's a shame that the market is flooded with fakes. Cheers Brian

Hello Everyone, My little brother is going to China in August for a lengthy stay and has offered to look for medals while there. I am thinking of sending some money with him for this purpose. Now if you knew my little brother you would know that sending money with him to a country half way around the world in itself may not be the soundest of ideas. After reading many posts dealing with this topic and not knowing much (much, meaning nothing) about this topic I am wondering if the idea is only a waste oif time on his part and cash on mine. There seems to be a lot of fakes on the market and I've read this is for the "tourist trade". From this I take it that the fake medals are available in China and sold there to tourists. Is this the case? My brother is not a tourist in the normal sense as he is going there to teach. Is it worth while to have him keep an eye open for medals while there? He will be living in one of the smaller cities (I have forgotten which one) so is there a better chance of finding "real" military medals? I thought this might be a good chance to start a whole new thread to my collection. Any thoughs are most welcomed. Cheers Brian

Hello fellows, Nope. This one was pretty much the same as the common Cross of Honour with crossed sword except there was an inscription on the obverse. The only word I knew was Kriegsmarine. The wording was "struck" and not engraved. It looked correct as far as age goes but then it is hard to tell anymore. Brian

Hello Everyone, While out hunting for treasures in one of the many antiques malls in our area I saw a Cross of Honour with crossed swords (a.k.a. Hindenberg Cross?) and on this cross was some wording that included a mention of the Kriegsmarine. Having been taken advantage of in the recent past I did not purchase it, especially at $80.00. I came home and went through as many posts on the forum as my eyes could stand with no mention of a Cross of Honour issued to the Kriegsmarine. When I returned to the same mall a few weeks later the cross was gone. Did I just miss the buy of a lifetime or did I dodge a bullet? I do seem to attract fantasy items lately. Cheers Brian

Hi Enzo, Very nice, thanks for sharing them. Cheers Brian

Hello Everyone, Here is the close up of the lady with what I think is the Russo-Japanese War Medal. Any thoughts about this possibility? Cheers Brian

Hello Everyone, I just got a nice photo of Japanese Red Cross Nurses wearing their Red Cross Medals. The photo was purchased on eBay (perhaps you saw it) and the seller said that it was a Japanese Red Cross Delegation en route to Europe in 1898. If you look at the close up of the photo (next post) you will see that the most decorated lady is wearing what I think is a Russo-Japanese War Medal. It is the one to the viewer's right. This would place the photo after September 5, 1905. Perhaps I am incorrect about the identity of the medal. No matter, I like the photo as it shows the Red Cross Medal in wear. By the way this is not an original photo but a copy, though it is of photographic quality. It was therefore a lot less money than an original and I am just as pleased. I hope you like it. Cheers Brian

Hello everyone, I would like to add that before I joined this forum I had purchased some items that turned out to be "fantasy" items. It hurt to find out I had been had but in the long run the members have saved me a lot of money and humiliation in my future purchases. I was raised on a farm and while manure has its place, crooks and scam artists do not. Many thanks to all of the gentlemen and ladies for your guidence. Cheers Brian

Many thanks Graham. You and the other members have added greatly to my limited knowledge. Cheers Brian

Here is the post WW II display. I hope you can read the write up, the photo came out a bit dark. Brian

Hello Everyone, My wife's uncle, who was killed just after the Normandy landing, belonged to the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders (SD&G). Their HQ is in Cornwall, Ontario, Canada. Their nic name is Sand, Dirt and Gravel. I've included a photo of his actual hat badge (I have added the tartan). I've also included a set of post WW II badges (Queen's crown) with their battle honours listed in the framed display. Cheers Brian