Gunto Fittings, Leather Type

[IJASWORDS]

Seen the discussion on metal fittings. Prompted me to ask about "non metal" fittings. I have an old blade in GUNTO mounts, with one unusual twist. The FUCHI and KABUTOGANE are in a hardened moulded/formed leather. It has a military SARUTE and MENUKI. OK, it is in poor condition, but a nice blade, and unusual fittings.

Any help, or others with experience in recognising this would be appreciated.

[Stegel]

Most unusual Neil, i was initially thinking that the fuchi part was a part of the retention system used with that style of tsuba, but then i saw the rest of the pics....wow.

I have never seen anything like that before!

Nice

[Bruce Pennington]

It sort of has the look of an old family blade militarized for service in the war, where many of the fittings are original and just enough is added, menugi, saya, to militarize it.

[IJASWORDS]

Well spotted Stegel, if it didn't have the belt and buckle retention strap, could be part of one. See if you can take a close look at SARUTE ferule, it has a GUNTO type chrysanthemum washer under it, quite beautiful in detail if you can see it. Neil.

[IJASWORDS]

I am a sucker for minute detail, see sarute ferule. Neil

[Dave R]

 I wonder if this is leather moulded and glued over metal fittings, to eradicate glare or sound/rattle, and protect the fittings from damage. I have seen similar done with a British WWI cavalry sword, where the large bell guard was completely covered with leather.

[IJASWORDS]

No, definitely straight over the wood and not over metal, and is basically same size as the metal component would be. Neil.

[Stegel]

 quite beautiful in detail if you can see it. Neil.

LOL, was just thinking (as i got an old phone and need to get a new one)........ perhaps you could use a new camera!!!

I am getting a bit long in the tooth though! squint too much and the specs don't really help.

[IJASWORDS]

YOU'RE OLD??? Got my first camera iPhone at 65! Its not only my eyes that don't work.

[Shamsy]

That's a very odd but really interesting combo of fittings Neil. I have a bit of a thing for leather covered swords but this is something even more! As leather was used later in the war on more swords, I dare say it would be fair guess work that it could have been due to a shortage of available fittings?? I liked Daves assessment as a form of protection, but if there is nothing to protect... Perhaps it is just a preference, or maybe Bruce is right and it is an older sword with unusual fittings? Whatever the case it's very unique and I'm enjoying the speculation.

[PNSSHOGUN]

How extraordinary, I have only seen an example only remotely similar on the saya of a Tachi, seen here:

http://www.emuseum.jp/detail/100490/000/000?mode=detail&d_lang=en&s_lang=en&class=&title=&c_e=&region=&era=&century=&cptype=&owner=&pos=641&num=6


Perhaps a very late war materials solution?