Bruce Pennington

If he died in combat, I wounder how the gunto is tied to him? Maybe it was in his personal affects that were gathered after his death?

Maybe someone with better search skills can find the thread where it was discussed about the Chinese military being authorized to produce their own version of the type 32 during the war. The handles were normally painted green, but I still wonder if this is what we are seeing.

To John's points, the details of the kabutogane lean toward fakery. As we've seen in Trystan's posts about the latest Chinese moves in faking, they ARE getting better. With the nakago and all the small details, like I've highlighted in the attahced pic, if I had to bet, I'd put a small amount down on "faker." BUT, we have been learning more and more lately about things that had been called fake for years, and some of them have turned out to have an explanation. So, if it were mine, depending upon how much you paid, it might be worth preserving. If I were to re-sell, it would have to come with a caveat about the uncertainties. This comparison of 2 of mine with the one in question. The fakers really have a hard time getting this bottom edge detail right. They usually get the rest wrong too, but this one is darn good everywhere else.

Would these help?

Forgive my ignorance, but this is just one side, right? What about the side with the Chrysanthemum? And does the presence of the chrysanthemum have particular significance? Thanks!

Alison, I will say up front, that I don't specialize in these, so someone more knowledgeable may correct me, but I agree with you on all your points. I've looked at the one in Dawson's book, and at my own, and yours differs in all the ways you've mentioned. Additionally, the lip of the handguard doesn't curve out enough, and the spacing on the belt loop is too far down the saya. The drag doesn't look right either. Now, there are always exceptions, but unless someone with knowledge of these chimes in, I'd say it's an imitation. I do recall a recent discussion of the Chinese, producing their own version of the 32, during the war, so maybe that's what you have. Here are some pics of mine for reference:

I found the pages in Dawson's book (47-50). Michael has it right. It exactly matches the Field grade Type 19 Court-styled Army sword. The floral ornamentation on the bands near the handguard, as well as above and below the dragonfly, are what sets it apart from the company grade. Thanks for posting, this was a nice learning experience!

This is one of those tough ones! It has the look of age to the metal fittings. The odd tsuba is known to exist in that form. Niel (IJASWORDS) has a perfect example, but it's higher quality. The kabutogane looks old enough, but has slight things that are off. The same' looks celluloid, but different than I'm used to seeing it. The white cloth wrap is rare to have, and while I understand your need to remove it to investigate, I'd sure try to get it back on as closely to original as possible, as it is rare to find a gunto with it on. I'm with Brian on the nakago, It has been re-shaped, but the lines down the sides are ugly, unlike Japanese work. Is the blade chromed? The spots near the blade tip, are they rust on steel, or rust through chrome? The snaps heads look odd to me too. Can you unsnap them and show pics of the saya koiguchi (end cap)? and some of the saya, possibly even the belt hanger (haikan)?

Just ordered mine! Didn’t realize he had been writing more books.

I've edited the above post to delete 5.4.pdf because the converter butchered it pretty bad. Here is 5.5. I realized Word can save docs in .pdf form, and does it without rearranging the pics and text! Sorry! Stamp 5.5.pdf

I agree. Not enough is known about the Matsu stamp to speak authoritatively about it's meaning. If it is, in fact, the inspection stamp of the Osaka Supervisory Unit of the Kokura Arsenal, then we can say that your blade was made using traditional methods, but with non-tamahagane steel, making it, officially non-traditional. George Trotter believes, though, the stamp was just being used by the Yamagami brothers. I haven't done enough survey work to prove that right or wrong, but if true, then the meaning of the stamp could be something else. I've lost track, and don't remember if you've shown us the saya for your gunto. If it has double release buttons, that could be another indicator that the blade is traditionally made. Can't make out enough detail on the painted items you circled, but paint on a blade is always (can I use that word?!) tied to the fitter's assembly numbers. Sometimes they don't match the numbers on the fittings, but often they are the same. You can read the history and story of the Contingency model fittings, or Rinji seishiki, on this Warrelics Thread.

Thanks Steve! I appreciate your work, seriously!

Thanks Jiri, I'll add it to my Stamps Doc with it attributed to Kuniteru, but the plot thickens! Reviewing my other kakihan (kao), I have another one at the end of a cutter's mei, who's name is Yamano Kanjūrō Hisahide. Unfortunately, I don't recall where I found this, but the source said the kao was of the cutter.

David, That document originated as a compilation of all the sources I could find on blade stamps. As a result, there are some differing opinions. I believe the part you are referring to is from the Richard Fuller section. His book was written 25 years ago and we have since learned many new things. The paragraphs above his section are the latest info on star-stamped RJT blades, and they are definitely traditionally-made (note to self: I need to add a caveat to his section in this regard!). I don't remember the full discussion on your blade, but its not having a star could mean it's non-traditional, if the smith is a known RJT smith. But if it's pre-1942, when the RJT program begun, it still could be traditional. Having no other stamps, like showa or seki, would support the chance that it's traditional. Examining the hamon and surface features of the blade, itself, is the best way to make that determination.

Officially a Type 97 Navy Officer sword, or Kai-gunto. The smith, shown in Dave's reference, is Masahiro. Brian's link will show you the origin of this style of blade, heavy, shorter, more mass in the tip for greater impact. Designed to kill with one blow. I have one too, and they are impressive in the unexpected weight for a shorter blade. The six characters down the left side should be the name of the togishi, or polisher. I can't read them, so maybe someone will for you. The material under the ito (handle-wrap) seems to be sharkskin and the covering on the saya (scabbard) might be polished sharkskin. I have a saya like that and have been told that if you look closely at the white dots, they have small points indicating shark, whereas the eel-skin has round dots. But I'm no expert on the skins. Both, though, indicate a paid-for upgrade from standard navy fittings. Nice find!