ChrisW Posted October 5, 2018 Report Share Posted October 5, 2018 Hey all, I strongly believe I have a Kyu Gunto blade that is without any of it's accompanying parts: tsuka, saya, habaki. I already know the last one will be hardest to replace. But as many were machine made, its worth a shot to see if I can obtain the habaki as well. The blade matches the profile type of a kyu gunto in all aspects that I can observe (shape, length, construction, etc.) I would be very pleased if someone has one to put up for sale! I would really love to get this blade back in some proper wartime mounts. Right now, its just sitting in a display case with little else to make it look proper. Thanks for the help! I can post pictures if requested. It does have a clear straight (I believe that's suguha) style hamon with a slight wave to it. ~Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geraint Posted October 5, 2018 Report Share Posted October 5, 2018 Dear Chris. I am sure that I am not alone in wanting to see some pictures of your blade, we would find it much easier to advise you that way. Unlike Western swords Kyu gunto are not all standard issue and finding parts that will fit is going to be a very tough job, in particular the habaki which you may have to have made for your blade. Another alternative is to have shirasaya made for the blade. Have you considered that? https://nihontoantiques.com/project/name-sword-fss-789/ will show you what it looks like and even perhaps give you somewhere to start asking about this work. All the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisW Posted October 5, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2018 I'll get some pictures posted when I am able to. I hadn't really considered a shirasaya to be honest; I might consider it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisW Posted October 11, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2018 Sorry for the wait, all! Here are a few pictures of the suspected Kyu Gunto blade, as far as I can tell, it matches the profile to a T. I think I also did a decent job of capturing the hamon. The blade is mumei with no markings of any kind that I can detect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PNSSHOGUN Posted October 11, 2018 Report Share Posted October 11, 2018 Hi Chris, yes that is a machine made combat sword for the Kyu Gunto, I have one in Field Grade mounts. I don't know how lucky you will be finding the right mounts, one thing to look for the is the relative lack of Sori in the Saya. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisW Posted October 12, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 Can you educate me a little on the difference between machine-made and hand-forged? Thanks for the info! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PNSSHOGUN Posted October 12, 2018 Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 Machine made swords of this era were usually drawn from a single billet and either through hardened or oil tempered using some variation of the Murata-To process. I have no idea who or exactly how these were made but they do have a tempered edge and mine at least is very well made, especially compared to machine made swords made during WW2. Traditionally hand forged blades that are very similar to these swords exist as well but they have a real Hamon and Hada. If you take the sword out into good sunlight you will see there is no discernible activity in the Hamon or steel, as the Hamon is etched on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisW Posted October 12, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2018 So if the hamon is etched on, then it would be worn off in spots and if polished, it would be removed to even more of an extent? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisW Posted October 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2018 Still looking for a proper set of mountings, thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.