Shin Gunto 1938

[Fumei]

Hello All!

What can be said from these photos of this shin-gunto 1938?

I think the mountings of this shin-gunto is genuine (except for the tsuka-ito of the sword).
But most importantly - what about the blade? Photo so far only of such quality.

 

 

 

[vajo]

Hi Vladimir. Celluloid same is authentic (was made from guncotton + campher and ethanol). The balde was threated. look at the deep rostspots on the hada. Maybe it was etched with acid.  Without seeing the nakago we can't say nothing. Fittings are original.

[16k]

What Chris said. I like the mountings. Too bad the ito was re-wrapped the wrong color. The b

Are is another story. It was probably rusted and someone attempted to fix that. This way, there’s no way to know whether the blade was Gendaito or Showato without seeing the nakago, though my little finger tells me Showato.

[vajo]

I have the same feeling as JP about showa-to.

[Dave R]

 Nothing wrong with the colour of the ito, but the end knots are very poor. Of more concern to me is that the kabuto-gane does not look to be pierced for a sarute!

[Bruce Pennington]

Nothing wrong with the colour of the ito, but the end knots are very poor. Of more concern to me is that the kabuto-gane does not look to be pierced for a sarute!

I'm wondering if the kabutogane was a replacement. The details seem to be double-struck, and like you say, the hole isn't cut out for the sarute. Overall, the detals on it don't match the high quality of the other metal fittings. Might go along with the reasons for the re-wrap.

 

Ditto with everyone else - need to see the nakago for more detailed eval.

 

[Austus]

Missing the menuki and all the fittings have been aggressively cleaned. Painful to see.  Bet the nakago is looks like the blade.

[IJASWORDS]

This sword would be a reasonable starting point for a new collector, but the blade and fittings have been abused. There are too many signs that it has had bits and pieces swapped out to be original . Vladimir, if it is yours, study it, research the subject, don't do any more damage to it, and use it to trade up when you find a better one. 

This forum is a good starting point to learn. Go to. "Show us your high class gunto" topic if you want to see some good original swords.   

[vajo]

Bruce the kabutogane is original. It was filled with lacquer. I saw some gunto with a closed hole. The badly pressed and painted birds eye details are normal for these fittings.

[Dave R]

Bruce the kabutogane is original. It was filled with lacquer. I saw some gunto with a closed hole. The badly pressed and painted birds eye details are normal for these fittings.

 

  The problem with the closed hole (Sarute-ana?) is that there is then no way of attaching an officers sword knot.....  I wonder if the tsuka has been shortened?

[vajo]

It is easy to get the lacquer out. Take a mekugi and the small brass hammer and it is away and you can make a sarute inside.

[Fumei]

Here are a few more photos of the blade.

 

 

[16k]

Definitely cleaned in an unorthodox way. I’m not even sure if the straight line I can seen on one of the pictures is the Hamon or... something else!

[Austus]

Somebody worked really hard to make this as close to new as possible, without having any idea that everything they did was wrong. Having it rewrapped without menuki tells of their limited knowledge, but also their hope. It is what is now, just try to enjoy it.

[IJASWORDS]

Vladimir, wish I had not looked at the pictures of the blade. Now I will have nightmares. 

[Bruce Pennington]

Vladimir, wish I had not looked at the pictures of the blade. Now I will have nightmares.

 

Ha!

 

Hey guys, what happened to "life of the blade" talk!? Always sad to see one of these beautiful weapons abused by too much time in a swamp or the hands of Bubba; but I still see something that was once fabulous. Life has treated her harshly, but she was a beauty once.

[IJASWORDS]

Bruce, of course your sentimentality for an old, abused sword is admirable, like looking at a 60's beautiful movie star who has spent the last 30 years on methamphetamine. But I look at it and wonder what it would look like if it had aged gracefully. With out the angle grinder treatment. 

[Dave R]

 The question that keeps popping up is, are you buying a piece of militaria, or are you buying a nihonto... The two are judged by very different parameters, Then if you really want to go there, will it get me my money back if I sell it on?