Interested in Finding Out More about WW2 Items. Maryland

[ajnthony]

Good evening. I having been doing some research on a Japanese rifle and other historical WW2 memorabilia I inherited from my great grandfather. We all know how stories and secondary sources are passed down from generation to generation. I have found a lot of information on the rifle based on the markings but have not been very successful on the other items. My focus now is on a flag that I received. I believe it to be a WW2 Japanese good luck flag but not 100 percent sure. Any and all information is appreciated.

 

[fubar57]

I'm thinking you will find out about this flag shortly

 

[ajnthony]

I'm thinking you will find out about this flag shortly

Thank you for responding. I will post pictures of the Japanese Arisaka rifle with the mum marking tomorrow when i get off work. I will attach my research on that now with hopes of dating the flag.

Thanks again

Arisaka Rifle
51777 = Nagoya Arsenal 1923-1945
= series 4
= Type 99

Arisaka Rifle, Type 99, Series 4, Nagoya Arsenal, 10,000-99,999
1939-1945 (early 1943)

A chrysanthemum with 16 petals (the symbol of the Japanese Emperor) was usually stamped on the receiver of rifles manufactured for the Imperial Japanese Army, indicating that the rifle belonged to the Emperor. The chrysanthemum resembles this:
The chrysanthemum was at least partially ground off on rifles which were surrendered after the war, apparently as a face-saving gesture. Rifles captured in the field, however, normally have the chrysanthemum symbol intact. The Type designation was stamped into the top of the receiver using the character shikifor "type" and Japanese numerals. The shiki character and the characters for the Japanese numerals are shown in the following table.

The mum is not scratched off.

 

[Crimea_River]

Shinpachi will help you.

 

[ajnthony]

Shinpachi will help you.

Great. I appreciate any and all information I receive. Thanks

 

[ajnthony]

Just learned about the obon society from this forum. If this turns out to be a true relic I will be in contact with them about returning this flag.

 

[Shinpachi]

It says -

1. 久長運武 (=武運長久 Bu-un chokyu) We pray for your good fortune in battle
2. 軍皇 (=皇軍 Kohgun) Imperial Army
3. 為小林君 For Dear Kobayashi
4. 板井八郎 Itai, Hachiro
5. 梅川太郎 Umekawa, Taro
6. 小野一郎 Ono, Ichiro
7. 雄川太郎 Yuukawa, taro
8. 早川田蔵 Hayakawa, Denzo
9. 梅川猶途 Umekawa, Naomichi
10. 小野隆四郎 Ono, Ryushiro
11. 板川 Itakawa
12. 亀井三郎 Kamei, Saburo
13. 村井三郎 Murai, Saburo
14. 武井小佑 Takei, Syosuke
15. 梅村少子 Umemura, Syoko
16. 雄川少次 Yuukawa, Syoji
17. 武川太郎 Takekawa, Taro
18. 板井三郎 Itai, Saburo
19. 板田内子 Itada, Uchiko
20. 稲田利八郎 Inada, Rihachiro
21. 孫佐津ミ佐 Magosatsu, Misa
22. 金井亀小郎 Kanai, Kamegoro
23. 梅一郎 (Kanai), Umeichiro
24. 川井隆三郎 Kawai, Ryuzaburo
25. 川井亦亀 Kawai, Matakame
26. 武川太郎 Takekawa, Taro
27. 稲川太一郎 Inagawa, Taichiro
28. 経野利八郎 Kyono, Rihachiro

 

[ajnthony]

Shinpachi,​

Thank you so much for taking the time to translate this flag. I will contact the Obon Society about returning this flag to the rightful owner or family. In your opinion does this seem like an authentic flag? After doing some research seems as though there are many fakes out there. I suppose the Obon society will be able to tell me as well. Thank you so much again for your time and expertise!

 

[Shinpachi]

In your opinion does this seem like an authentic flag?

I think so.
Let me wish you good luck.

 

[ajnthony]

Ok. I will update this thread after I contact Obon Society and get the ball rolling. Thanks again!