Bruce Pennington

I have found that if you crop a picture, even a tiny bit, they post upright for some reason.

And a picture of the design on the back strap

I would really like to see a close-up of the blossom on side of the handle backstrap. It is either ground down or worn down.

Transfering from the Short Gunto thread: Matt just found a tanto in military fittings that has striking resemblance to these daggers. The tanto is clearly legit, and in comparison, shows how these are not, but I can't help but think that maybe this is what the craftman had in mind when making the daggers. (post #40, here: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/32030-short-gunto/page-2) Note that the maker used a kabutogane for a sayajiri. So there is precedent for using the "wrong" parts on gunto that are legit, though these still go too far by mixing navy and army parts.

This one is quite interesting. Whoever made it used a kabutogane piece for a sayajiri. It makes me wonder if the souvenir daggers we have been discussing are attempting to copy something like this! comparison:

Good catch there, Neil! Looks like an army tsuba. I just realized that I have no idea if their pilots were army or navy, or did they have both like us?

Before COVID, these were selling around $2,400. They're running about $1,400 now.

I agree. He blocked me, I can't even buy a mekugi from him, because I pointed out the fakery of his stuff. And like Steve said - I wouldn't put good stuff willingly in his hands to be butchered with his bad horimono.

David, I have records of the Seki stamp from '41 - '45. Gifu just '44-'45. So they were used simultaneously. Don't know WHO was using one or the other, though.

Ah, the sword upright on the naugahyde seat!!! Definitely the Monkey. BACK AWAY FROM THE MONKEY PRODUCT....THE RUN! (not kidding.)

Neil (IJASWORDS), I believe, has a tsuka that appears original that has no mekugi ana. But I don't think it came on a blade.

Well now ....... after seeing the close-ups of the ito, it doesn't look like it was ever held/carried. I'm starting to think this tsuka was a Type 98, and someone has started to covert it to a Rinji tsuka, and they didn't finish the job. I'm thinking the wrap-job is just a Bubba-job.

The stamp if a “Gifu” inspection stamp, if that helps. Gifu was a specific area.

Just realized I had 2 examples of the early ito wrap. One a Gifu, as mentioned earlier, and the other a Tokyo. Pics posted for comparison.

Hi Jeff, You've got a Contingency Model of the officer Type 98 gunto. Often refered to by collectors as the Type 3. You will lately see more and more calling it the Rinji-seishiki model (which is simply the Japanese words for contengency, or temporary, model). Long intro, but this wasn't an "official" model or Type. It was designed to test simpler fittings that could withstand the rigors of combat a bit better than the standard Type 98 fittings. It was also intended to be cheaper. Officers had to buy their own swords. Like Chris said, the ito (wrap) has shifted and covered the holes. I've attached a photo of one of mine so you can see where to look. It won't hurt anything to lightly move the wrap up and down, here and there, till you find them. Most Rinji models used a metal screw in the hole nearest the tsuba and a mekugi in the upper hole. I'm sure I speak for everyone here - PLEASE give us some full pics of the nakago (both sides) and blade! We have addictions that need their fix and the forum has been a bit slow lately. I've been starting to get the shakes! {Note to Brian - this could move to the Military forum}

That's really cool Neil. So you weren't looking for Kanemichi, they just kept popping up as you found a gunto you liked? Also, with the 3 blades you show, to my untrained eye, they are all so different in style that it makes me wonder about shinsa teams trying to attribute a mumei blade to a particular smith.

Here's another Sadayoshi, found on a link by SteveM, at the Hattori Samurai Art Shop http://www.katana-hattori.com/katana/gassan.html

Pic added from Steve's link (in case the item isn't there in the future). Wow! I've never seen a mei with the sword shop's name!

Jeff, That's amazing! It looks new, like made yesterday! Hopefully the translation guys can help. I wonder about that star. Could it be a versioin of the Yamamoto Guntoya company:

It’s truly quite interesting Neil. Even the leather ashi! Hope someone has an idea about your question though. Interesting possibility.

Crow, I use both of those books extensively, worth the price! Another fabulous resource for learning, and FREE, is Ohmura's website: http://ohmura-study.net/900.html As to this gunto, If that 795 is USD, it's an Ok price. Don't know the UK market. I don't see anything wrong with the mounts. The tsuba is thinner than I've ever seen. The all-brown tassel likely indicates this gunto was carried by a Gunzuko officer (the civilians working for the Army. They had uniforms and rank). But at that price you could get a gunto in better condition, though some guys like the worn, used, battle-proven look like this one.

Raphael, Yes, I remember that we chatted. Welcome! As to your question - in your location I don't know what's available. Do you have Craigslist? It's free. There are new competitors to ebay popping up. Here is an article about their 10 best online sales sites: https://www.oberlo.com/blog/online-selling-sites Auction houses also sell on commission. I haven't looked into it, but I think they all charge about 20%. Warning: If you do try Craigslist, be ready for the scammers to hit almost instantly. The usual scheme is: "I'll pay your asking price. Please remove the item for sale. I will send and check to you, with an added amount. The extra is to pay my delivery man who will pick up the item." So the forged bank check arrives, you cash it, he all of a sudden lost his delivery guy and wants you to mail the extra cash back to him (he couldn't care less about the sword). 3 weeks later the check bounces as a forgery and your bank wants their cash back.

JT, There is also a vast amount of info online, if you are a reader. Many articles here, at NMB, can be found here: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/forum/17-articles/ Rich Stein built a small kingdom of information on this website: http://japaneseswordindex.com/nihonto.htm You didn't mention whether you had discovered the vast, beautiful world of WWII shingunto. There are more pages than one can read on Ohmura'sans website, with gorgeous pictures as well: http://ohmura-study.net/900.html There are many more. Welcome to the club!

Thank you dirk, and everyone else, for the help. I’ve added the Sadakazu kakihan to the ducument.

David, do you mean that those are a progression of names a single smith went through, or are those a line of smiths? Sorry for the Newbie questions! I just have the Sadakatsu kakihan in the Stamps document, and I'm trying to figure out if I've named it correctly, or if there was a succession of guys with slightly varied kakihan.