Shin Gunto 98 information

[lboos]

Can you decipher the signature Iboos bearing in mind it has 2 holes at the end of the tang

TIA

Hi Cinders,
It is a Shin Gunto [1935-45], prob. made early [some of the early ones had two retaining holes] as the later ones only had one retaining hole and it was forward on the handle [tsuka],
the retaining pegs were called [mekugi].
It is a showa [Emperor Herohetia era] the showa stamp was only 1/4" diameter,
don't know what the 3rd hole is, looks like it was put there later.
You can also get a colored tassel and knot to att. to the end of the handle, the color determined the ramk of the officer, their all over ebay, the org. ones run around $125-$225
but you can get a repo. a lot cheaper.
wish I could help you more on the signature, Their is a ton of info. on Japanese swords on the internet, nice looking sword you have .