J Reid

100% fake. Without a doubt. Real NCO guntos have smaller arsenal stamps and the bohi extends further to the tip. This bears the signature faults. Sorry for your loss. Josh R.

Steel was in such shortage that the Japanese basically used whatever they could in order to supply every breathing soldier with their own sword. "Gendaito" can only be so if it is traditionally made and constructed of tamahagane (Exclusively). If these swords you speak of were made of old muskets, than they were most likely half-breed swords, or showa-to. So answer being, if the sword was made from an old gun during ww2 specifically, than no, it most likely isn't made of tamahagane. Josh

Steel was in such shortage that the Japanese basically used whatever they could in order to supply every breathing soldier with their own sword. "Gendaito" can only be so if it is traditionally made and constructed of tamahagane (Exclusively). If these swords you speak of were made of old muskets, than they were most likely half-breed swords, or showa-to. So answer being, if the sword was made from an old gun during ww2 specifically, than no, it most likely isn't made of tamahagane. Josh

Thank you everyone for your replies. I totally agree with both opinionated sides. I was sure moses beccera was an experienced polisher, and that I can trust him with the repair, if I decide to sway that route. I will also shoot bob an email to see what he has to say. Chris- I like your straight forwardness. If its going to damage the blades polish, and make more work all around. If its going to be hard on the blade, and take years off of its life. Than as its keeper, I should let it be. Grey- I personally feel the way you go on when you state your opinion in your reply. I want to keep this blade, and I want it to be perfect! It will bug me. If an experienced polisher says he can take care of the kissaki within a reasonable cost, and not hurt the blade, nor polish, than hey, why not? It will only continue to bug me if I don't. If they say they probably shouldn't and I should let it be until the sword reaches a point of needing a fresh polish in 2150 etc. (haha) in order to preserve the piece, than as its keeper, I should respect and adhere to those words. George- I also agree with you. If the sword is set to be perfect, other than this flaw, and its reasonably possible to fix, than I should have it done. It can't be perfect, and not be perfect. Battle wounds are a different story. If the chips are there from being used, and polish to match. It holds a different aurora/energy to its current state. These can be acceptable in my eyes as well. So overall, I will seek repair, if it is safe for blade, polish, and budget. If not, I will love it regardless. Its still very sad though, as I know for a fact it got chipped by those goofs in customs handling this blade without any proper form Best regards to all, J. Reid

Hey guys! So I am just looking for some opinions/input. I just picked up a signed and dated, no star stamp, Muto Hidehiro gendaito. Mint polish, original shirasaya, original solid silver habaki that was made to fit blade and shirasaya, papered tokubetsu kicho. Only problem is.. upon inspection I noticed the smallest, smallest( about 1mm, almost looks like it just wasn't polished to a perfect point), tiniest chip out of the tip of kissaki. I am a perfectionist, and it makes me sad to see this chip, even if it is so minuscule. I contacted moses today about a possible estimate, and turnover rate of fixing the chip. But I guess I am just looking for fellow collectors opinions on whether or not I should turn a blind eye to this chip, if its un-desirable, if this was your sword, would you be satisfied? will this make an impact in a possible future re-sale and should it be fixed to please aesthetically? It will make me sleep better tonight if I hear how the members of the board would feel if this was their blade. I guess I just need to hear that I'm going OCD over this chip and to just let it slide. NOTE: Compared to market values, I do have room for repairs, I just don't like sending my blades away if it really isn't necessary. Also I am sorry for the link. This is my first time trying to upload photos.. I am happy to upload more photos to my album upon request, I just stopped photographing as soon as I noticed the sad, sad chip. Best regards, J. Reid LINK: http://WWW.PHOTOBUCKET.COM/MUTOHIDEHIRO