raaay

Andre , not vague reply from Dwayne , it is basically a fake / copy of Japanese shin-Gunto sword , made to deceive ,and made in China . just google fake Chinese Shin-Gunto swords , you will soon see there are lots, hope you did not pay a lot of money for this one , and it is not very old sorry ,

hi Gary Sorry , as you suspected ? and as others have said , a very poor Imation of a Japanese sword , it Is a wall hanger at best , with very little ££ value .

HI Jon , Do yourself a favour and contact Ian Chapman and see what he has in stock , before you ship something from Japan , Ian is in the UK , just my two pence worth , good luck .

looking at the tang it looks strange , is it my imagination , has it been heat treated or in fire looks odd , a better photo might help ? . sorry just my two pennies worth .

Bruce , no later than a couple of weeks ago I spotted a Shin Gunto in a Scottish auction , asked for a condition report as the pictures were poor , they did respond and sent me a lot of more crap photo's , to the point, they had a Japanese studies group who will remain nameless , who submitted a translation of the tang :-) 1. the large panted Kanji = is a magic phrase to got war , i.e. assembly numbers 2. the date they actually got right as Showa 1943 3. the two Kanji for the smith - Mitsu Masa - translated as the swords name as the gem of light .

Hi Colin -snap !

Sorry this is a Chinese replica , trying to be a Japanese sword.

Hi Geraint i was lucky mine came with a very nice pole with nice brass / bronze mounts and the counter weight is iron and heavy and would have been just as deadly in the right hands. i have always liked pole arms, I have owned 5 up until now . as per other comments under rated IMHO. Ray

just to jump in , here is a few pics if my one . no saya cover unfortunately . very nice tapering Oak pole 7ft long counter weight - 7" long -weight ? blade - 7" x 5" signed -Fujiwara Hisayuki saku .

Brian just google the Token society of Ireland . you can also try there face book page ,

Hi Brian , there are a few Irish members here on the NMB , I take it you know about the Irish Token Society ?

hi Craig the photos are not good , but the grain pattern you are looking for " Masame Hada " looks more like scratches from an abrasive clean on the surface to me , i hope i am wrong ! sorry just my two pence worth , but it may be the magnification that is causing it to look like that ?

Hi Nobody , many thanks for the link , a very interesting read about the Suya Company . Bruce, the info on the other swords with the lions apart from the star shaped Mon , looks nothing like mine, i am still convinced it is in the Japanese style , but we might never know , but thanks to all for there input. as previously said i have seen this sword before on eBay , copied the info , just now need to find it !

yip, Mike IS your guy ,

I was always convinced it is Japanese , could it have been made or commisioned for another country's arm forces ? somewhere i have copy from a few years ago , of the duplicate Kyu-Gunto sword that was sold on eBay , i am going from memory i am sure they suggested it was for the Korean or Sino -Russian campaign ? But it looks like it is an interesting and Rare model ! also i see there is in the translation section, An excellent reply about the Japanese company and the company history that made these parade sabers.

Bruce I edited my last post , but not sure if you seen the comments , shishi / Lion Dog is on the back strap , as i said you see them on many sword fittings .

Hi Bruce the only other one i have seen and it had an identical Kyu Gunto hilt , was on eBay 2/3 years ago it sold for $1800.00 ! if i remember correctly,. which surprised me at the time . it was supposed to have been used during the Korean campaign ?? but who can believe everything you see or read on eBay . as you can tell i could not get a good clear pic of the Kanji which is presumably the manufacturer of the sword guard ! maybe someone will recognize it on here . shishi as in Lion Dog , just as you see in many menuki and sword fittings .

Hi Bruce the only other one i have seen and it had an identical Kyu Gunto hilt , was on eBay 2/3 years ago it sold for $1800.00 ! if i remember correctly,. which surprised me at the time . it was supposed to have been used during the Korean campaign ?? but who can believe everything you see or read on eBay . as you can tell i could not get a good clear pic of the Kanji which is presumably the manufacturer of the sword guard ! maybe someone will recognize it on here .

And one from me . A rare one i think ! i have only seen one other with a shi-shi as part of the back strap , also i am not sure what this Mon is if purely a military issue sword , cutting edge - 27 & 3/4" gold bullion sword knot Ray

just to be flippant , i see a running man carrying a triangle under his arm

Mark if you live in the UK and have been collecting Japanese swords for sometime , it is easy to recognize that type of lemon juice / acid polish , i believe he has retired now .

Hi Mark , if you are not a member of the Token Society yet , that would be my advice , as you will get all the advice and more.

100% fake , lots of these around .

Hi Paul apologies , i hope all went well with the meeting , but due to issues at work yesterday , i missed the AGM and the meeting. regard's. Ray

Mantetsu - obviously many years ago an antique dealer tried to sell me a Mantetsu blade , the dealers translation was it said , leaping tiger in the spring time