PNSSHOGUN

Hi Phil, can you please show photos of the mounts? You say it was surrendered on Borneo, is there supporting documents or a story about the circumstances of surrender? 

Here is another example of this unique Ashi type, though the eyelet is pierced as normal. The top of the Ashi is more 'built up' compared to most Kai Gunto.

For those playing at home, this is a similar latch concept as used on Navy Kyu Gunto:

Not an original rank tassel. Mounts look decent, any idea on the blade?

It's a family name: "Sakagami - 坂上". Is there a original rank tassel, or other information on where the sword was captured?

Are you actually looking at the signatures, or believing what you want? A cat is a dog if one believes it.

Can we see the rest of the blade and Kai Gunto mounts?

Good place to start your journey: https://nihonto.com.au/

Good all original Type 94, difficult to find in this condition. Is this an auction in China?

Good condition naval dirk mounts for display or spare parts. No blade or Tsunagi. There is a surname engraved in the Saya: "本中 - Motonaka". There was a Motonaka Sadao who was a submarine officer.

A donation to the board will be made.

Saya: 31cm

Tsuka: 10.5cm

$200aud + shipping

Swords of this quality are made even better by such fine mounts, congratulations.

The photos of this sword are from a prolific ebay dealer in Japan, who deals in many low end swords aimed at western buyers. Not saying it isn't Nihonto, it clearly is, just best to temper any dreams that this is an undiscovered master work. Where was this purchased from?

https://www.ebay.com/str/worldarmorantiquedaimyou?_trksid=p4429486.m3561.l161211

The mounts are standard pattern Type 19 Kyu Gunto officer sword. The lack of decoration on the back strap indicates this is a Company grade sword for officers Lieutenant - Captain. The family crest is associated with the Ashikaga family, but also used by a litany of other families by that point. Nice looking sword, is there any provenance with it?

Hi Victor, the registration is absolutely no guarantee of the sword being an authentic Nihonto. There are many registered non-traditional blades made during the war.

23rd generation Kanefusa swords can be found with the Kikusui Mon in the same area. As stated before, not necessarily fake - but no relation to the Minatogawa Shrine swords.

Just an observation that swords with mixed forging methods tend to bear the Sho stamp.

Optimistic seller hogwash. 

A pupil of Kiyondo? Mei doesn't look very well cut, weird space with the last character in the Nengo, and it's odd for the special order inscription to start above the Yasurime.

Examples of the "T.E.C." stamp on Kai Gunto, could have some relation to the Toyokawa Naval Arsenal due to their stamp? The quality on Kai Gunto with this stamp is often very good.

Tassel is authentic, in very good condition.

None of these look particularly exceptional to my admittedly lacking Tosogu knowledge. Are these all worth 500 euro a pop, or were there hidden true gems worth the total?

This looked to be the pick of the bunch, especially with the provenance to a recent Yokuzuna:

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/174397629_koto-mino-katana-by-kanetomo-with-elaborate-tachi-mounts-and-nbthk-tokubetsu-hozon-papers

Few OK Gunto, nothing worth getting too worked up over.

Pity about the Hagire, good candidate for daily Uchiko treatment to see if it clears up the murk a little.

Handle wrap may have been done in the field, looks like very old lacquer. There appears to be a family crest on the handle as well, always a nice touch.

Additional pictures of the above sword now that the photos are gone from the link. Note the early Type 94 style Tsuka with separate Sarute, this is in conflict with the circa 1940's Saya and Tsuba.