DavidB

Fittings are all typical Type 3 (contingency) Gunto. Steel saya, blackened iron tsuba and tsukagashira. The same has crumbled and the wrapping has disentregrated. So I intend to use this to try my hand at tsukamaki. It is currently disassembled As for the blade, it isn't fancy but is still in good condition. I don't know enough to tell if it is hand made or machine made. No obvious signs if machine work except for the precisely drilled holes. Hamon is there but straight and even. I have no delusions that this could be an old or significant blade. But it seems to me a good piece of craftsmanship for it's intended purpose as a wartime blade. I would like to reveal the makers name even if it's not an esteemed one. Good to know I can remove the rust without destroying anything. It will likely remove the painted markings. Can anyone tell me the significance of those?

So it's just the date on that side? Wouldn't want to mess with it just for the date. Limited possibilities there. On the other side I can't see anything at all. Maybe a little shimmer of light suggesting an incised mark underneath the rust. It could just be the painted mark. Seems like the paint is lifted by the rust. Can't imagine exposing an incised mark, that may or may not exist, without obliterating the painted one. What's the significance of the paint?

I've had this Type 3 Gunto a while. I always thought it was unmarked, but recently checked again with better lighting. Now I see some faint marks peeking out from behind the rust. There isn't enough exposed to ask for a translation. Would it make sense to carefully clear away the worst of the rust buildup to expose the signature, or would it be better to just leave it alone (antler?) Not sure that this is patina worth saving, but maybe there's nothing to be learned here anyway.