Unknown shin gunto katana arsenal mark

celtan · 5th December 2008, 03:06 PM

Hi Guys,

I have been unable to ID one of the arsenal marks in the fuchi of one of my shin gunto WWII katanas. It's the one on the right, an ovoid shape with a center X and two symbols resembling a C and an U on the sides, see pic..
Any ideas?

Thx

Manuel Luis

Rich · 5th December 2008, 10:58 PM

The mark on the left is the Tokyo Arsenal mark, later (post1933 ) Kokura Army
arsenal, Also used by the Koishikawa (Tokyo) makers. Can't id the mark on
the right.

Rich S

celtan · 6th December 2008, 03:35 AM

Hi Rich,

The one beside the Accountability number on the blade is also Tokyo's Koishikawa

Fuchi has three Arsenal seals: 1. Cannon-balls (Kokura and Koishikawa), 2. pre-1936 Koishikawa, and 3. Unknown . This makes it probably of 1934 or 35' vintage.

The clincher is the third one. If you find anything, kindly let me know.

Best regards, and Merry Xmas to you and yours.

Manuel

celtan · 9th December 2008, 11:57 PM

Got it!

Seems its the private contractor that actually made the sword:

IIJIMA TOKEN SEISAKUSHO

Best!

M

Rich · 10th December 2008, 02:49 PM

Where did you find that info?

Rich S

celtan · 10th December 2008, 02:57 PM

A japanese site, here's the data for further use:

Rich · 10th December 2008, 03:30 PM

Thanks, I haven't run into that site before. Copied the charts for further
reference.

Rich S

5th December 2008, 03:06 PM	#1
celtan Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PR, USA Posts: 679	Unknown shin gunto katana arsenal mark Hi Guys, I have been unable to ID one of the arsenal marks in the fuchi of one of my shin gunto WWII katanas. It's the one on the right, an ovoid shape with a center X and two symbols resembling a C and an U on the sides, see pic.. Any ideas? Thx Manuel Luis

10th December 2008, 02:57 PM	#6
celtan Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PR, USA Posts: 679	A japanese site, here's the data for further use: Attached Images

5th December 2008, 10:58 PM	#2
Rich Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: comfortably at home, USA Posts: 432	The mark on the left is the Tokyo Arsenal mark, later (post1933 ) Kokura Army arsenal, Also used by the Koishikawa (Tokyo) makers. Can't id the mark on the right. Rich S

6th December 2008, 03:35 AM	#3
celtan Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PR, USA Posts: 679	Hi Rich, The one beside the Accountability number on the blade is also Tokyo's Koishikawa Fuchi has three Arsenal seals: 1. Cannon-balls (Kokura and Koishikawa), 2. pre-1936 Koishikawa, and 3. Unknown . This makes it probably of 1934 or 35' vintage. The clincher is the third one. If you find anything, kindly let me know. Best regards, and Merry Xmas to you and yours. Manuel

9th December 2008, 11:57 PM	#4
celtan Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PR, USA Posts: 679	Got it! Seems its the private contractor that actually made the sword: IIJIMA TOKEN SEISAKUSHO Best! M

10th December 2008, 02:49 PM	#5
Rich Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: comfortably at home, USA Posts: 432	Where did you find that info? Rich S

10th December 2008, 03:30 PM	#7
Rich Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: comfortably at home, USA Posts: 432	Thanks, I haven't run into that site before. Copied the charts for further reference. Rich S