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1 antique World War II Japanese Samurai army officer’s Muratato shin-gunto sword available.  A sword in this condition would make an important addition to any collection.

The tang has stamped kanji.  Murata Tsuneyoshi developed the “new Japanese-European combined sword system”.  

All military fittings are of excellent quality.  The seppa, tsuba, etc. all have the matching assembly numbers ’25’.  The blade measures 26 1/8″ from blade tip to notch in the blade spine.  This fine sword has a metal brown/red-lacquered scabbard.

This Muratato has a pierced tsuba.  The handle/tsuka has a tachi curvature to it.  

This sarute/tassel loop has a blue/brown company grade tassel.  

Here is information from Ohmura’s studies:

Murata-tō

 Tsuneyoshi Murata an army Major General Baron, is the expert of shooting. He developed the famous “Murata Rifle”.
 Then, he aspired after improvement of a Guntō and made the Guntō to the trial himself using the saber metal (sword
steel of German Solingen) of stock of the Tokyo Artillery Arsenal.
 Since this sword cut very well, he completed the blade which instruction of Kanenori Miyamoto, Sukekane Yokoyama, etc.
was received, Sweden steel and a Japanes steel ratio were dissolved by 6 to 4, and he dissolved mincement and this at
1,500 degrees C, and carried out One-piece forging (Ichimai-Gitae) and carried out oil hardening. The bone of the head
of a pig was splendidly cut in October, Meiji 24 (1891) using two blades by the sharpness examination in an Arsenal.
 Since there were no abnormalities in two blades, it depended on this result and this blade was adopted as the Guntō.
 This blade was cheap, since an officer was also easy to come to hand, it was greatly used by Nissin and the
Russo-Japanese War, and it was proved that it was the practical use Guntō strongly turned off well to rust.
 This blade was manufactured in the army “Tōkyō Artillery Arsenal (Tōkyō Hōhei Kōshō)” 
 The Mei cut with a “Shōjū (Rifle)-Kanemasa”, carried out the archaic script of the 4 characters of the Tsuneyoshi
Murata to the bottom of it, and struck the stamp compounded to 2 characters.
 Name of an era and the serial number are stamped on the reverse side of a Tang.
 In addition, the Mei of “Kanemasa” or “Murata Tsuneyoshi ” was cut by the sword which Tsuneyoshi Murata forge himself.
 In order that there might be no “Hamon” in the mass-produced blade, evaluation of a sword community was not obtained.

The blade which Yoshitsune Murata forge himself

Blade length: 83.185cm. Edge length: 66.357cm. Tang length: 16.827cm. Curvature(Sori): 0.714㎝

The blade style is “Kogarasumaru”. It seems that Hamon was drawn by etching. All the blades that he forge cannot be
found by this type. It seems that there was much ordinary structure. Three Mekugi holes mean that the Shirasaya, the
saber, etc and the Koshirae changed.
 It was dedicated by the Type-98 Koshirae, without touching a Mekugi hole. For the reason, Habaki has twice as many
ordinary length as this due to a Mekugi hole.

(Photograph offer:Mr.Frank Stand in U.S.A)

“Mukade-giri-maru”which the Tsuneyoshi Murata made the model of the Murata-tō. 

Mukade-giri-maru: 1000 or more are a front Tachi. 

 The celebrated sword of the tradition said for the Hidesato Fujiwara to have received from Ryūjin. Now, this Tachi is
a treasured sword of the Ise Shrine. Major General Murata made this Mukade-giri-maru the model of the Murata-tō.

His Imperial Highness Prince Chichibu’s practice sword (reserve)

Edge length: 66.7cm. Curvature(Sori):1.6㎝

  ← Mei: The Tachi for Guntō way practice was imitated.
           This was manufactured in Tōkyō Artillery Arsenal 
    
Ura Mei: August, 1933 lucky day Serial № 116 →
          Tōkyō Artillery Arsenal trademark stamp

 When it guessed from a Mei and Emperor Taishō’s second Imperial prince
 (next Prince Chichibu) entered a military academy, this sword was
 presented to practice of the Guntō. 

 The Murata-tō which imitated the Mukade-giri-maru was presented to the Imperial-Family officer. There is no telling
who did the sword making when. After Major General Murata retired, this sword was modeled on the Tachi which the
Imperial-Family officer was using for practice of a Guntō, and was forged.
 It is a precious sword which can check the figure of the sword of the starting point of the Murata-tō.

Mass-production Murata-tō

Edge length: 61.5cm. Curvature(Sori): 0.9cm. Hi (Slot) which pierced through all blades and Middle-Kissaki.

← Mei; Shōjū (Rifle)-Kanemasa

Ura Mei: October, Meiji 23?(1890?) → 
Serial № 7-17 

Hard to read this sword tang Mei(signature) because the tang is
 rusty. Furthermore, an exact period cannot be read because of a
 Mekugi hole.
  If 1890 (?) years are right, it will be called the trial production
 blade or  a trial production mass-production blade before the army
 adoption in 1891.
  The stamp which compounded the archaic script of the Tsuneyoshi
 Murata to two characters is not found.
 

1 antique World War II Japanese Samurai Navy Officer’s kai-gunto sword available.  This sword would make an important addition to any collection.

This sword is signed.  This sword was made by Fukumoto Kanemune.  There is no arsenal stamp on the tang/nakago, so this may be a gendai sword.  At the very least though, this sword will be oil-tempered.  

The blade measures 22 1/2″ (measured properly from blade tip to the bottom of the notch in the habaki). 

This sword has a black leather combat combat cover over its wood saya.  Some collectors refer to these swords as Naval Landing Forces swords.  

1 antique Japanese samurai arrow point available.  This desirable exceptionally large size Japanese rope cutter arrowhead would make a fine addition to any collection.
 

The ancient 16th-18th century Japanese yajiri/arrowpoint was used by true Samurai.  This large arrowpoint measures 13 3/8″ (34 cm), including the tang.  The point itself measures 3 1/8″ (7.9 cm) by 2 1/2″ wide (6.4 cm). 

1 antique Japanese katana available.  This sword is signed ‘Amahide’, is stamped with a kokuin, and is dated 1820.  The 2.5 Million Yen swordsmith, Kasama SHIGETSUGU, actually made this katana.  Upon conferring with one the top gendaito experts in the United States, it is our opinion that this sword was made by Shigetsugu–this opinion can either be proven or disproven by submitting this sword to shinsa.  Shigetsugu is known to have made many gimei swords of master smiths–like Amahide (actually Masahide, but late in life Masahide gave his smith name Amahide to his grandson).  Swords made by the master swordsmith Kasama Shigetsugu are quite valuable.  

On page 160 of John Slough’s book, Shigetsugu’s work is described as follows:

“Shigetsugu was a master at horimono, and there are many swords with superb examples of his work.  He was skilled at producing the Bizen style of choji midare, and also a slightly slanted saka gunome choji.”

This sword’s nagasa is 27 5/16 inches (69.4 cm).  The horimono on this sword is among the best work I have ever seen.  

The skill level of Shigetsugu is proven in this sword.  The forging work is superior.  
 

1 U.S. World War 2 Richtig fighting knife available.  Richtig fighters of this style (with brass guard and aluminum pommel) are pictured in Bill Walters’ Book II, and in Bill Wright’s Theater Knives book.  This desirable Richtig fighting knife would make an important addition to any U.S. military or world militaria collection. 

This knife was made by a legend in knife-making.  Frank Richtig had a secret steel tempering process that allowed him to slice through railroad spikes and automobile leaf springs.  Frank would demonstrate this at county fairs–after slicing a railroad spike or leaf spring, he would slice through a piece of paper with the same knife.  Frank earned himself a spot in a ‘Ripley’s Believe It or Not’ magazine in the 1930’s.  These knives can be used for decades, because of Frank’s superior craftsmanship.

This knife measures 10 1/8″ overall.  The blade itself measures 5 7/8″.  There is no sheath with this knife.  This Richtig knife is one of the unmarked knives that Richtig made.  Richtig was told by the War Production Board that he was only allowed to use a certain quantity of metals deemed important to the War effort.  Richtig called that decision ‘bul_____’–he felt what would be of greater importance than using these important metals in weapons?  So he made fighting knives during World War 2 beyond what the government allowed; he didn’t mark these knives made above his metals quota with his name, so the government couldn’t come after him.  

A brass guard/aluminum pommel Richtig dagger is hard to find–this knife would make a great acquisition for any collector.  

1 difficult to find Japanese model 1883 Naval Kyu-Gunto Samurai Officer’s sword.  This rare Imperial Japanese Navy Officer’s katana would make an important addition to any collection.

A sword in model 1883 Naval Kyu-Gunto sword mounts is rare.  An example in exceptional condition is extremely difficult to find.  The Naval mounts on this sword are mint.  Of Kyu-Gunto mounted swords–just 1 in 40, or 1 in 50 is in Naval mounts–all others are Army.  A sword like this does not come on the market very often. 

Photos from reference books with information on the model 1883 Naval Kyu-Gunto have been provided in this listing.  Two photos of Naval Officers are provided from Jim Dawson’s book, Swords of Imperial Japan 1868-1945–Cyclopedia Edition.  Note in the caption under one of the photos that the Rear Admiral (Flag Rank) in the photo is posing with his standard 1883 series Officer model sword.  The authorization for a special Flag Rank sword was cancelled in 1914.  So the sword in this listing was authorized to be carried by Admirals as well.  

The sword blade dates to the Russo Japanese War.  The nakago/tang is unsigned.  The blade measures 25″ (63.5 cm) from blade tip to notch in the blade spine.  This sword has a desirable, perfectly executed wavy hamon. 

A horn mekugi holds the tsuka/handle to the blade. 

The sharkskin-covered saya is very fine.  All fittings are gilted in gold. 

1 antique World War II Japanese Samurai Army Officer’s Late War/1944 pattern gunto sword available.  A WW2 Japanese Army Officer’s katana would make an important addition to any collection.

The nakago/tang is signed–the signature reads ‘Yoshihide‘.  The reverse side of the nakago is dated.  

The blade measures 26 1/16″ (66.2 cm) from blade tip to notch in the blade spine. 

St. Croix Blades BUYS KNIFE COLLECTIONS.  Contact us via email at info@stcroixblades.com, or call us at 715-557-1688 to sell your collection.  

1 U.S. World War II theater fighting knife available.  This is an unusual and desirable theater knife.  The pommel was made from a de-commissioned/now inert Japanese mortar fuse.  This theater fighting knife would make an important addition to any collection.

Theater knives are fighting knives made by soldiers in the field, or by craftsman here at home for soldiers.  Knives made by soldiers were often made with materials that were readily available to them–like plexiglass spacers made from enemy aircraft windshields, aluminum, brass, leather, and blades or handles from Issue fighting knives. 

This large combat knife measures 14 3/4″ overall.  The blade itself measures 8 3/4″.  

Have a collection of Ruana knives?  Give us a call at 715-557-1688 or email us at info@stcroixblades.com to sell your collection.  

1 Ruana World War 2 knife available.  This rare Ruana fighter would make an important addition to any collection.  

This rare U.S. WW2 fighting knife is missing from almost every military knife collection–because they are almost impossible to find.  This exceedingly rare Ruana fighting knife would make a holy grail addition to any military or Ruana knife collection.

This is the big Ruana fighter.  This WW2 Ruana fighter has square cut handle scales–dating this knife to 1938-1943.  This knife is also pre-stamp.  The G.I. that carried this knife during the War stenciled his initials ‘WHS’ on the front of the sheath, and stamped his initials also into the knife’s guard.  
 

The blade on this large WW2 Ruana combat knife measures 8″ long.  This knife measures 12 1/2″ overall.     

Photo 12 above is the entry for Ruana WW2 fighters in Bill Walters’ book U.S. and Allied Military Knives — World War II.  Note who was credited for this entry.   
Thank you for your consideration.   –Matt Brice, St. Croix Blades

1 early blue blade Ka-bar World War II Mark 2 fighting knife available.  This U.S. fighting knife would make an important addition to any collection.

This was the first Ka-Bar Mark 2 knife variation.  This knife has the thin pommel, long double guard, and colored spacers.  The blade was originally blued on this knife.  

The blade measures 7 1/16″.  This knife measures 12 1/16″ overall.  

The Ka-bar scabbard is ID’d on its front ‘HICKS’.  

1 antique Japanese WW2 Army tanto available.  This small Japanese tanto sword would make an important addition to any collection.

Japanese officers were allowed to carry katanas during World War 2.  Enlisted were not allowed to—many of these men carried a tanto sword like this one in their packs to invoke the spirit of the Samurai.  

This tanto sword has an unusual and desirable blade shape.  

The mumei blade measures 5 3/8”.  This tanto measures 9 9/16” overall with its saya/scabbard.  

1 rare Japanese WW2 Iida mount gunto Army Officer’s sword koshirae available.  These sword mounts are among the most rare of all Japanese military sword koshirae.  These mounts are referred to as the Iida seal–or the Iida lock, named after its inventor Iida Kunitaro.  This exceptional Japanese Army sword koshirae would make an important addition to any collection.

The wood tsunagi blade measures a long 28 1/16″ (71.3 cm) from blade tip to the notch in the blade spine.  

The Iida lock is a weather-proofing mount designed to keep water out of the saya.  This exceptionally rare sword koshirae would make an important addition to any collection.  Information on the Iida (IIDA) lock can be found on page 169 of Jim Dawson’s book, Swords of Imperial Japan 1868-1945 Cyclopedia Edition.