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Dave R

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Posts posted by Dave R

  1.  As previously said, there are quite a few threads on various sites about the current rise in the price of Gunto, and a lot of ideas as to why it has happened. In the end, supply and demand rules apply, and one factor I think is the realisation that there are not as many of these about as people once thought!

     For myself I chased one down in order to own an example of the last sword seriously made as a combat weapon, as opposed to a wall hanger, sports equipment or Art object.

  2.  There is a fair old discussion of a related topic over here.  http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?497553-Why-do-Japanese-Type-95-NCO-swords-get-more-money-than-officers-versions 

     One of the things coming out is that all the Gunto are rarer than we used to believe, production numbers lower than thought and many of them destroyed during the occupation!

      I think the comment about  a new coterie of buyers coming to the market is both interesting and valid. Over here in the UK they are paying big money for stuff related to their history and driving prices up on the market.

  3. Dominic,

     

    To put things in perspective, for the price of the two swords mentioned in the opening post, you can buy a traditionally-made star-stamped sword in good condition and in good gunto mounts. If it were my money, and I had to have a sword NOW, I would go this route. But, I concur with others that one should read first and buy second.

     

    Hoanh

     After looking at the asking price, I am of the same opinion. These are priced at the high end for nothing special. Now if they were Mantetsu- Koa Ishin ...................

  4.  Western Military protocol was that a sword was not sharpened until/unless the unit or individual was preparing to go into the field. Sharpening without orders was a chargeable offence, so at a guess blunt/unsharpened Gunto had been carried in Japan only, or never issued.

     A bit like not loading a pistol or rifle until you needed to use it.

    • Like 3
  5. Quote  "Same day I met a polisher, I asked him to polish to 2 blades in the picture. While polishing the lower blade he noticed that the hamon went all around the kissaki, and also back around the cut away section. So this meant that the blade was forged as we see it, and the kissaki had not been re shaped.
    As he had never seen this before, he took it to another expert, this man is the curator of the Leeds Armoury, Japanese section.
    He said that the sword was indeed Koto, made in the muromachi period mid 16C by the Japanese sect who embraced the European culture, dressed as the European's and forged their sword's as they imagined the western swords would look like."

    So probably not Satsuma Age.

  6.  That type of saya would originally have had a leather cover, these do turn up on ebay from time to time at reasonable prices, so get one of them and forget the finish. It is unlikely that it would have been lacquer anyway, more likely ordinary paint and often they are bare wood under the cover. The leather tassel is an NCO's sword knot even though your sword is for a Commissioned officer, field replacement or a quick addition to make it more saleable back in the day? Regarding the blade, "Uchigo" it to death! Don't use abrasive paper or Brasso, I have heard talcum powder suggested as a cheap alternative for use on a beat up blade. I think the nakago needs a scrape with a piece of brass, copper or bone to remove the loose and active rust, and perhaps a light oil. I am sure others will have their own take on what to do. Originally it would have all looked something like this.

    Dave

    post-2218-0-77656800-1456820113_thumb.jpg

    • Like 1
  7. Yes Brian. I had a wakizashi with a clear Seki stamp on the nakago, no doubts about length. It was mounted traditionally but leather covered saya for war. It even had a false spacer added under the leather combat cover to make it appear longer. No doubts it was original straight from the veteran.

     Do you have any photo's of this one. I wonder if it was a factory shortening due to a defect in manufacture?

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