My Original Type 98 Shin Gunto: Re-Hilt and Review

I recently restored my old friend to its original tsuka configuration, so I thought I'd take the opportunity to do a sword review on it, and also make some comparisons to modern reproductions.
If anyone can help me unravel the mystery of the inscription, it would be much appreciated!
I'll have more gunto content coming soon, including a discussion of the steels and manufacturing techniques used in "non-traditional" original shin gunto (just in case you're considering buying one).