Help identifying a Katana.

[hlidskjalf]

First time poster here, but I was hoping for help identifying this katana. Not a whole lot of information but it was found in a barn in the 70's whos previous owner was a WW2 vet. Could just be a cheap replica or something, I'm no sword expert. If you need some more pictures I can add em, any help would be appreciated! The first 4 photos are the writing from left to right. (or bottom to top I guess in this case)

Here's the full album:

http://imgur.com/a/jVxZb#0


Let me know if there's any issues viewing.

 

[Lee Bray]

It's a genuine katana, signed by Kanemitsu (not 100% sure it's Kane but mitsu is certainly the last character of the smith's name), and dated Showa(period 1926 - 1989) Ju(10) Ku(9) Nen(year) Hachi(8) Gatsu(month), or August 1944.
The stamp above the signature is some form of arsenal stamp and denotes that the blade is made non traditionally. These are called Showato and are not so desirable for collectors of older "Samurai" swords but are still collected by the militaria type.
The mounts are late '44 pattern Shingunto koshirae.

Provided the condition is good with no major chips in the blade or a missing tip, value would be in the range of US$500 - $1000.

Hope that helps.

 

[hlidskjalf]

Awesome, thanks for the information. The tip is in good condition, but there is one small chip in the blade. I also didn't have all the pieces there in the photo, I have the thing that attaches the hilt and the blade as well.