hi,been told this is december 1943 but would like help with signature if anyone can please,also what is the other small tang mark,what are the grip ornaments and have i pictured them correct way up.
any help most appreciated,thanks in advance,mustang

date

small mark

ornament

Hi mustang,Its hard to tell by the picture but it appears to be some type of inspection or acceptance stamp.This appears to be a military blade however the menuki "Ornaments"Do not conform to standard military themes.Perhaps a few more pictures of the hilt fittings would help.Hope this helps Geoff.

hi, thanks for info,this has definately ww2 mounts (as much as i know about this subject ),handle is loose and appears to have been refitted as the tang has been redrilled and a metal pin used instead of wood.

ww2 cap

release button

hilt

mustang ,

Yes, December 1943.

The 1st pic "mei"(signatere) is NoriNaga .
The 3rd pic stamp is "Na" stamp that inspection mark of Nagoya army arsenal.

Can you take a close-up photo of the blade"hada"?

Mustang welcome to the boards. I knew you'd find help you needed! KM is our most excellent translator & all around nice person. He's also very knowledgible regarding Japanese swords.

hi guys,this is great,thankyou greaty KM for your proffessional help,id be stumped without it,and thanks Jareth for pointing me in right direction to ask.
ive tried some blade pics of what i think is hada,god these are hard to photo on such bright blades close up,.here goes

another

again

Although uncommon, I have seen a number of military issue blades that have non standard menuki in the handle. Possibly, this was allowed to personalize the piece.
Bob

i wondered that but didnt know if military would allow it, guess they may have come from a former ancestral sword of the ww2 owner. what the heck are they,i cant make them out,maybe a seahorse if stood on end,looks to have a pair of nostrils,shell like body,maybe fins at back and a curly tail.................then again it may be my imagination,
mustang