September 10-12, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/12/2024
Ichihara Nagamitsu is one of the best-known gunto smiths. He made swords for the Osaka Army Arsenal, and his swords were used to test cut helmets, which they were quite good at. He was authorized as a Rikugun Jumei Tosho, and was provided with a steady supply of steel for swords. 66.8cm nagasa (approximately 26 - 1/4") of classic shinogi zukuri form, with a gunome notare temper line. Nakago with kesho yasurime (file marks), iriyamagata jiri, and signed "Ichiharu Nagamitsu" with characteristic 2 stroke "Naga" character. Brass habaki, Type 98 mounts with a leather sarute, with a silver family mon on kabuto-gane, depicting Mitsu Icho mon. CONDITION: Blade with some scattered handling marks, mossing, and some pinprick oxidation. Out of traditional polish, but the temper line is clearly defined and has what appears to be hataraki (activity). Mounts with evidence of a repair to tsuka-ito, with heavy handling marks and scrapes throughout, some to bare metal.