WestPat23

I live North of Birmingham, Alabama USA that is. I am about 2.5 hours from Atlanta, GA. I know there is much going on there, but I work every Saturday so it limits my events. I will continue to keep my eyes peeled, and make some time to educate myself. Thanks for the encouragement, David

Thanks to all for the help, and especially to Brian for taking his time for a new member. One last question and I think this will wrap up the post. What would be the top 2-3 books you would recommend, and where would be the best place to get them. Thanks again, David

Thanks for the honesty, that settles the matter for me. All this research has increased my interest for a nice gunto or a real nihonto. By the way, is there such thing as a "starter" true nihonto. One that I would not have to sell my car or get a second job to pay for. Thanks for all your help. David

Here are links to the kisakki and a look at the hamon. http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh5 ... AG0720.jpg http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh5 ... AG0802.jpg Thanks again for your time, David

Just speaking more of pictures than actual inspection. The tang and fewer characters are different from a lot of the examples cited on websites. Also the mune forms more of a diamond shape at the end, also no blood groove. It also has a hamon that looks like the teeth of a saw, or the profile of a shoe sole. It seems to be widest at the perpendicular line where the kisakki begins, and tapers back to a point. Most of the blades I have seen online are straight along the spine. I hope that makes sense, David. Ps Thanks for your assessment.

Any idea on the date. I am mainly trying to decide if it was hand forged or machine made. 750$ just seems like a lot, especially if it was a late war production. The furniture and saya are nice, but the blade needs a good cleaning at the least. I am trying to establish whether or not the blade is of good enough quality to warrant that kind of money. If not what would be a fair offer. Thanks again for the clues, David West

Thank you and sorry for the bad behavior. I do have a picture of the tang as a whole. It may have some other small mark above the first character. There are no other inscriptions on the tang or blade. The koshirae are all stamped with a 5, but no other markings or stamps on blade or saya. http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh5 ... AG0748.jpg The picture is not as good but it lends more perspective. Thanks again for looking, David

Here are three, four, and five. Thanks for any insight, David http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh5 ... AG0792.jpg http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh5 ... AG0793.jpg http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh5 ... AG0795.jpg

Hello, I was reccomended here from another forum. I am looking to buy a WWII gunto with a blade a little different than other examples I have seen. He is asking 750$, and that is more than I am willing to pay with no documentation. The blade is 26.5" and the tang is single peg. saya and koshirae, along with locking pin are in excellent shape. Mekugi has been replaced with a stick. Same is torn around mekugi, but otherwise tsuka is great also. Blade has some severe oxidation but ha is razor sharp. There are 5 characters, Here they are in order of appearance http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh5 ... AG0796.jpg http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh5 ... AG0791.jpg