Mister Gunto

More pics...

In the meantime, here are some photos from the sale that give a better view of the blade. There is only a few ware on the blade, seems to be in good shape. No hagiri or such. The seller is normally a milsurp firearms dealer, and the blade was sold on consignment from an owner who claims to have had it since the 1970's. No other info other than what was written on the shirasaya. The seller (and I) felt it was Kanbun Shinto based on the blade shape and narrow sori. Also, the nakago doesn't seem that old and worn. But that's just my impression. I could be way off. But if it turns out to be a koto, that's fine with me too. I do like the blade itself a lot. Has good balance and feel in the hand.

I'll try to take some better ones and get them posted here soon

Thanks Ray & Peter. Wow, the sayagaki isn't even close. To be clear, the sword was represented by the seller in the listing, and in our emails, as most probably being a Kanbun Shinto era blade, Mumei, made circa 1650-1680. Which is what I still assume it is, unless you guys see something that makes you think otherwise?

Some photos of the blade, taken outside today.

I picked this katana up over on Gunbroker and just got it the other day. If anyone could help me out with translating the writing on the shirasaya, I would greatly appreciate it. I believe (?) this is a Shinto Kanbun period katana. The nagasa length is 26.5 inches / 67.31cm. Suriage or O-suriage, Mumei. There are 3 mekugiana in the nakago. The sori is pretty shallow, haven't tried to measure it. The polish is actually pretty nice, apart from a few scratches and scuffs. Quite sharp. There is a glop of white crud on the blade, under where the habaki rests. I suspect someone may have tried to glue the habaki while it was still on the blade, and it leaked through. The habaki is wood unfotunately, and in pretty fragile shape. But it's still holding on. The old bamboo mekugi that was in it literally disintegrated when I removed it with the little brass hammer. But that's why I keep the chopsticks when I order Chinese... It came in what looks like an older but-still-solid shirasaya with a lot of shiragaki on it. I was told by the seller that this roughly translates to : Daigaku Ryumun Buyoshi / Length 2 feet 2 inches 5 / Fine Grinded / Non-signed tang / One Hundred Gold He told me the writing on the opposite side is the name and date of the sayagaki attribution, but he only said in was dated Showa22 (1947). And if this is correct, is Daigaku Ryumun Buyoshi the name of the swordsmith? Has anyone heard of him? If you guys can confirm or deny this translation, and give me the name and date on the opposite side, with any thoughts or comments, good or bad, I'd appreaicte the honesty. Apologies in advance for my lack of photography skill

Pay bills or buy swords? Phsssh...buy swords. Every. Single. Time.

PM sent

Very cool thread. I had not seen these before

Possibly the blades themselves were made in Japanese - occupied Manchuria, but were of poor quality and thus never issued out to the troops. Post-War, the blades may have remained in storage, to eventually show up in the workshops of Chinese fakers. Who then added on more modern-made, poorly done replica koshirae to complete the swords, and get them into the market.

Shamsy, nice work!

Nice work man!

Very cool. Haven't seen one like this before.

Beautiful blade! And I like that O-kissai

Yikes! That tang! Still, at least it sounds like you were able to get something back on it.

Wow! Just a stunning blade.

Yikes!

Cool older blade. I like the leather handle protective wrap.

Beautiful sword!

In Europe, extra long and large rifles in the 18th and 19th Centuries were commonly referred to as "Wall Guns". The idea was they would only be used in a fixed defensive fortification, where their unwiedely size (and obviously very long-reload time) could be covered by stout defensive walls and birms. Its not at all odd to think the Japanese used their own versions of these. The Chinese definately made them. Here's a pic of a mid-19th century breechloading version. You won't realize the size of this gun until you see the photo near the bottom of the page where it's compared to a US M1 Garand rifle (itself no shorty). https://www.rockislandauction.com/blog/the-belgian-behemoth/

What a cool and unique piece! It actually reminds me of the Colt Walker Dragoon 2nd or 3rd Models, the slightly smaller versions of the huge 1st Model 1847 Walker. Kind of a bridge between the Model 1847 and the Model 1851. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6lxdHIrAPU

Chinese folded steel copy. Not just fake, but supa fake!

Now that's impressive.

Wonderful piece!

Nice original WW2-era blade and Shin-gunto mounts! I love when the hamon transitions from a wavy Choji-type pattern into a straight Suguha.