IJASWORDS

Hi paulb, I am now being a sadistic! Got this 22inch KOTO GUNTO, hi on one side only, and then only three quarters the way down one side. What's going on here! MUMEI of course, nice polish. Neil.

Hi, thanks paulb, totally understand the difficulty identifying from poor photos. In reality I am a WW2 gunto collector that contain a lot of old blades. Whilst some have cut MEI, many are MUMEI. A good thing about SHOWATO/GENDAITO the majority are signed, even dated. At the moment I have only labeled it KOTO, awaiting more information. Neil.

Hi, I have a ww2 GUNTO (leather combat cover missing), with a KOTO blade, MUMEI with BoHi. It has a 26inch cutting edge, and 27inches to the TSUBA. It has a silver coated copper RAIN engraved HABAKI. A straight HAMON, and no other markings. It is in good shape, and feels beautifully balanced in the hand. Is it possible to make a stab at a SMITH, SCHOOL, LOCATION, DATE or any other information. Neil.

Hi All, great and useful comments. You are correct Mark, I checked all my dates, and found a mix of fitting designs regardless of manufacturing date. Did notice that it was lower end (cheaper?) blades that had the poorer fittings. Neil.

Hi, I have noticed that at some point in the production of the 98 model gunto, that the decoration on the fittings on some swords changed. The cherry blossom and leaves were dropped in favour of a stipple plain finish. Was this done as a regulation, ease of production, or a variation from one fitting maker to another? Pictures attached of a 1942 compared to a 1944 variant. Neil.

Hi, firstly thanks to all of you for not jumping to any conclusions with out asking for, and examining the evidence. Photos attached as requested. Whilst the photos may be ordinary, as I said in my initial post, the blade is equal to or better than some late war NCO's that own. To be honest, I am open to any verdict on the sword. I know it is a period piece, IJA, JEEP SPRING, PETA, etc doesn't worry me, as it is still interesting as a militaria artefact. The SAYA is perfectly sewn, so a bit of work has gone into it, I would think a bit and above and beyond that of a souvenir to fool GI's. The stitching (three passes in places) was constructed to last, not to be quickly sold off. But as I said I am relaxed at any outcome. Your comments and expertise is appreciated and welcomed, Neil.

Hi Stegel, just to clarify, are you coming down on the side of a PETA type sword, or a JEEP SPRING? Either way, they would be period type pieces, and interesting for no other reason than historical from a militaria point of view. By the way, please don't think my collection is made up of pieces like this. And I got it for next to nothing. I posted this to get my "old" head around this new fangled computer thingy. Like attaching photos!! Your help, even your time to read and reply to my post is really appreciated. Thanks, Neil.

Thanks Bruce, my type 3's have EMURA and NAGAMITSU blades and other less notables. But there are some times great surprise packages in type 3's. Not so much now, as every one knows what to look for. But in the old days you could find swords that have never been disassembled, and needed a lot of work just to get TSUKA off. Really appreciate your reply. By the way could you look at my post on ISLAND MADE GUNTO? You have probably come across these> Neil.

Hi GregD, nice blade, my KOSHIRAE may be questionable by some, but my blade OK. Anyway, its all about the blade, Neil.

WOW, thanks GregD. Fittings also look similar. And the wrap has no SAME under it. You have restored my faith in WW2 swords seeing a similar piece. Neil.

Hi All, I got this sword years ago, and the previous owner said it was taken either in the Philippines or Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). The blade is machine made, and way too good for a JEEP SPRING. The leather cover is over what looks like a RAIN FORREST timber of a red colour. The hanger and press studs are the same as those on Japanese issue covered swords. Habaki (copper) looks period, and the pommel is like late war last ditch type I have seen. Tsuba is iron, through which a leather snap tab passes. I have heard that late in the war, and on isolated islands, promoted officers got a local made sword on their promotion when Japanese pieces were not available. Any contribution would be appreciated. Neil.

Hi SwordGuyJoe, agree and disagree with you. The tsukamaki and menuki always puzzled me as well, BUT all the metal fittings are original to the sword. I have carefully removed them, and they match the patina/corrosion patterns on the saya. The throat (painted pressed sheet metal) has the wood liner protruding and matching exactly. The FUCHI is an exact match, and the CHAPE, whilst looking like a 98, is painted pressed steel also, with no decoration and the same colour. The blade date is only three months earlier than their surrender. By the way, the land of a thousand lakes, is that Finland? I used to work in HANKO, there was a fantastic militaria collector down there, great swords!! Neil.

Hi, got a late war made GUNTO, with a NORINAGA blade made in `1945. As you can see from photos, there are elements of a few designs, and differing materials of construction. The KASHIRA and hanger look like poorly made (roughly cast) type 3 variety, whilst the Fuchi, scabbard throat and bottom tip are steel. The scabbard is a tan colour, whilst the TSUKA is khaki painted (with no SAME) under the binding. This looks like a "last ditch" officers sword, along the lines of the "last ditch" NCO. Looks like a Type98 Menuki. It all fits and matches, so would not say it is a put together souvenir. Help in identification would be greatly appreciated. Neil.

HI Bruce, Stegal, is this what you are asking about? Neil.

Hi Bruce, good question. Been colleting swords for a while, and found out three things years ago, firstly, I was ALWAYS disappointed with what I got on auction sites, secondly, it is best to get pieces from your trusted network, buddies tend not to BS each other, and thirdly, those with the fattest wallets get the best pieces (just look at some crazy prices lately!). I certainly don't have a fat wallet, so I hunt down and target what I want, to the point of reserving my cash for some thing I really want. Some times unfortunately this means passing on some great pieces that are not on your "hit list". Some pretty good stuff comes out of the wood work here in OZZ occasionally. OH WELL, cant have everything!! Neil.

Hi, by the way great photo of stamps on SEPPA Kai Gunto of Scandinavia. Got a Lt General sword (see pictures), with provenance. It has a 22 inch blade in a 28 inch SAYA. The blade is old UJIFUSA OWARI, and sticking a probe down the SAYA shows it was made for this blade. My only comment is that it is a treasured family blade, and mounting it in a SAYA to suit the length would look silly on an officer (too short). Sword length (certainly SAYA length) may well have been a status symbol amongst officers. All this said, I also have a number of 21-22 inch blades in short SAYA to suit. So is it regulation or vanity? Neil.

Hi, having fun posting things, only been a member for a day! I am sure the novelty will wear off soon. As collectors we like to share what we have with like minded people. The side latch NCO was in fact the last and hardest to find in reasonable condition to complete my NCO collection. Funny, the NCO's make up only a small percentage of my collection, but they seem to generate all my posts! Can't wait to see a topic on double hanger 94's, with MONs and old blades that I can contribute to. Neil.

Hi Stegel, YEP, that's the one, that's why its not on display, NON-MATCHING numbers, and not worth much. Apparently bought back from New Guinea by an AIF soldier, and sold by a relative. Neil.

Hi, help in translating this tag would be greatly appreciated. Neil

Hi, hope these pictures help. #52627, and #80442. Fairly low numbers in the scheme of things. May be you could give me some feedback on these, as NCO's are not my chosen study. Got a few more NCO's somewhere, if they are interesting I will post photos. By the way got another Copper 95 in a yellowy gold SAYA, no signs of it not being original, and no signs of any other previous colour either. It is #1719 if that helps. Didn't know NCO's were that interesting. Neil.

Hi, I don't really collect NCO's, but attach a photo of some of my examples (certainly got all the types in DAWSONS book). I guess if you collect WW2 IJA swords, they are a necessary part of sword history and evolution. Neil.

Hi, forgot to add that brass and copper components have the patina of age, and have never been polished or touched, that's why they look dull. Painted surfaces still remain with good appearance. Neil.

Hi, attached photos of uncirculated NCO. Don't know if photos are clear enough to show detail. The SARUTE is painted brown (most examples rust quickly), and it is noteworthy that even on a machine made NCO, there is an attempt at a YOKOTE on the tip. Thanks for welcoming another "Ozzy", we have some pretty good stuff down here, there are many collectors that are not on NMB, as was I until yesterday. Thanks...Neil.

Hi, yes over entire grip, tightly stitched, and only open at the diamonds. It is in great condition. Got a brand spanking new uncirculated NCO if you are interested in seeing photos. Got a bit of a collection of WW2 IJA swords. But particularly like to collect examples with old blades. Neil.

Hi, joined NMB today and getting used to posting. Needed to work out how to load photos, so here goes. Saw a section on custom NCO's and thought I would share one of mine. Certainly over here (in Australia) these are pretty rare. I have been collecting for a while, and reading the posts, most interesting. This is completely leather covered, only exposing the decorative elements of the sword. Every thing is as new under the leather. Any comments are appreciated. Neil.