David Flynn

Mumei Swords have nothing to do with period.

It's not a type three handle Bruce. It's a 98 pattern, rebound that way. Look at the fittings.

Gendaito , especially those made during the war, come in various qualities. The best are the special orders etc. That's why if you look at Slough's book, Smiths are said to make swords (for example), medium to high level . One would expect the medium level swords, would more or less be knockouts for the war (always exceptions with Japanese swords) and the High Level, to be special order/ dedication swords (again, always with exceptions). Even today, smiths make different level of swords, ie. Martials arts quality as opposed to order made.

I think the stamp is a poorly struck Na (Nagoya Arsenal) stamp.

Fake News!

It may be Kanetoshi.. Seki Showato.

David, would you please post your photos here, so everyone may see.

I would like to see a photo of the showa efu koshirae, please.

Unfortunately, the real deal.

Shinto mumei, probably Osuriage . 35-40K?

With the Tegai in D mounts. The money is in the Blade.

I've been lead to believe, he does his own polishing.

Not here in Oz....https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/IsoPropyl-Alcohol-100-Rubbing-Alcohol-All-Purpose-Cleaner-Isopropanol-5-Litre/232520331915?epid=24009908733&hash=item36234ab28b:g:bJ4AAOSwIspabqYO

Not just any alcohol, Isopropyl 99% or higher.

Noshu Seki (no)Ju Okada Kaneyoshi saku.

Zamzamini, would you please photograph the area between the Mekugi Ana and the Hamachi, please. This is the usual area where Stamps may be found. Also, some may have had the stamp removed.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Cape_Gloucester

Na stamp is seen on Showato and Gendaito.

I've been told and under the impression, these were for better quality mounts.

By the style of mei and hamon. Showato.

Unsigned showato. Bruce, look at the standard Seki Togariba Hamon.

Just shows how hard it is to judge from Photos.

Looks Chinese to me.

interesting, there isn't a defined Nioi Guchi.

The difference between Non traditional and traditional swords is the amount of study needed. Most Showato a pretty homogenous, where as, nihonto need a tremendous amount of study. Not just for the smiths and schools, but how to tell a good one. Flaws abound in Nihonto (because they're handmade). Learning the different flaws and their consequenses can mean the difference of thousands of dollars. One may buy a Gunto with a Koto blade for eg $1500 But a realy good Gendai would cost over$10,000. Of course this depends on the condition of the blade and who made it. Don't forget, Gunto are just Koshirae. One may have a very expensive Koto sword that is Gunto. Instead of a Generic Gunto term, one should differentiate between the blades. The only time the Generic term Gunto should be used, is with Showato and NCO. Outside of Japan, we generally refer to Non Traditional Swords as Swhowa to. The Japanese use Gunto for these. Outside of Japan, we refer to modern traditionally made blades as Gendai to. The Japanese uses Showato for these. All the rest a named after their Periods ie. Shinshinto, Shinto, Koto. etc.