Windy

I've just had a chance to take a look at a Type 98 that's coming up for sale. Whilst I'm getting more clued up on aspects of WWII gunto, the translation of mei is still a steep curve for me! Any help with this very much appreciated. I've had a bash at the date.... 1st character ? 2nd = winter?? 3rd = 10? 4th = 8? 5th = year? 6th = ? 7th = month? As you can see, I'm not very good!! Cheers for any help Matt

I'd say so, but by no means am I an expert on this.

Here's my standard mon. Quite obvious difference in cartouche shape.

Once the tsuka is on tight, takes a couple of firm taps (onto a soft pad of leather), there is just a very slight wiggle on the tsuba. One leather seppa or a pair of repro brass seppa (Nine Circles) seem to make it just right.....bar the latch no longer engaging.

It seems to be a good fit, no play, but last few mm its tight. Needs a tap to get the holes to line up properly.

Ahhh thanks. However the sword is quite a good fit in the saya. It's the tsuba that was a little loose.

Forgive my ignorance, how does this work?

Cheers guys. To be honest, wasn't keen on making any permanent alterations to the furniture of the sword. The brass seppa I bought tightens everything up just right, only consequence is that the latch won't engage, which is to be expected.

Thanks for your input. Just to be clear, if going down the filing route, it would be the on the area marked?

A couple of pics post clean up and with leather seppa added. (Brass pair arrived later and probably look neater).

Having recently got my hands on a nice Type 98, the subsequent clean up (was liberally caked in grease) left the tsuba a little loose. I've bought a couple of brass seppa and also have some brown leather which makes a decent enough fix. The trouble is, where either option does the job nicely, the extra spacing is rendering the saya latch ineffective. Is there a way around this, or just something I'll have to live with?

Cracking result Bruce. Your Dad would be proud.

Cheers Dave. A handy little list. Can just about make out the hamon in this pic. Gunome midare???

There is a visible hamon, not certain if it's genuine or etched. My knowledge in this area is still sadly lacking.

Sadly I can't see any sign of markings, paint or otherwise.

Think the mon is a version of the kashiwa? Similar to mine, in my recent type 98 post.

Temporary leather seppa installed. Brass pair ordered. Final result and pics of nakago.

Yes....that's the one.

Yup....two feels so much better than one! Just need an NCO now

I've found a site here in the U.K. that sells pairs of brass or copper seppa for about £5. I'll probably give them a try.

Think I'll go with a leather fix for the time being. In time I'll probably make a brass one myself. I need to research the mon a bit, seems there were one or two families who associated with the kashiwa mon. I was surprised there wasn't even an arsenal stamp on the nekago though.

Couple more.....

Picked up my second gunto yesterday. A Type 98 joins my Akihisa....so I suppose I can now class it as a 'collection'. Unlike the Akihisa, don't think this 98 is particularly special, and happily I managed to get it for what I believe to be a good price (as auction house didn't list it particularly well). Blade is unsigned, not even any stamps. Does have a nice mon on the tsuka, which I believe is maru ni mitsu kashiwa. Also has a fairly decent leather combat cover on the saya. Saya looks to be in a pretty good state, reddish brown finish. But haven't tried removing the cover. When I collected it, was covered in a large amount of grease, but has cleaned up nicely. Although tsuba is a bit loose now, so I need to fabricate or buy another brass seppa.

I assume, 'if' I were to acquire this gunto, and it did turn out to be damaged/repaired I would have course for a full refund given the questions I've asked and answers given in writing?

Have queried the mark, regards to a repair or damage and they report back that the blade has been greased and it's a thumb print.