Ed Maroli

It has a naval arsenal stamp and 3 kanji on the tang but the Mekugi(peg) does not want to come out right now.

The blade is machine made stainless steel. It will not rust in the salt water.

This is a Japanese Naval officers Sword in the 44 Army scabbard.

Brian, That is an excellent sword. I always liked the samurai sword for being both a weapon and a hand made work of art. ~Ed

This is a good site for both basic and advanced info. Cheers, ~Ed http://militaryhistory.about.com/gi/dynami...l%2Fnihonto.htm

Thanks for the comment. I will post a few more in the next day or two. ~Ed

more markings. ~Ed

Dated spring of 1943

Mukden arsenal stamp. Upper top left part of blade next to silver spacer.

Signed "Mantetsu Kitae Tsukuru Kore" or what is known as plain Mantetsu. All parts have matching numbers.

handle.

It is a heavy, well made blade.

machine made blade.

Mid-war officers sword.

I believe that the little cotter pins are correct. They are usually long gone but I have found them twice on the company commander badges. Years ago I saw the regimental badge with not only a cotter pin but a small chain that prevented it's loss. ~Ed

Thanks Paul, Would this be for the knee mortars?

A recent lucky find for me. ~Ed

Here is another link to a usefull thread. ~Ed http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=21270

It is not a complete guess. The Sacred Treasure was a long service award with the grade based on rank. A 6th class for Lieutenants and the 3rd class for Colonels. A major would have a Sacred Treasure 4th. There is no way knowing if it is Army or Navy. ~Ed

Here is a link to an old post that may help. ~Ed http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=22607

My guess it would belong to a Captain by the Sacred Treasure 5th class. I do not think it is attributable as it is a typical group for a junior officer of that period. ~Ed

Very nice bar. Only officers got the enameled RS and ST(6th and lower) GK( 5th and lower) ~Ed

A friend of mine happen to has a similar piece with the loose medalions and all. It must be common with the 4th class. Bad design, too thin. Any pressure on the arms will transfer the force to the hollow center which in turns forces each end of the medalions to move apart. I'll most likely use a little elmers to tack it together. On the 2nd class the medalions are secure but both the crown and the cypher "float" and can rotate a little. Also the 4th class has no maker. Thanks again. ~Ed

some type of bone glue?

Thank you Rick. The glob is the resin/glue?