Kolekt-To

I believe those are Cherry Blossoms, not Chrysanthemums, you're referring to.

Good point Durrell! However, not all Type 97's were made of stainless steel. In fact, most of my Kai Guntos (mostly arsenal blades) do not pass the magnet test - they are not stainless steel. I've heard that many Kai Guntos were not composed of stainless steel, so perhaps those would hold up better when actually used in combat.

Thanks Stephen! A few months ago, I removed a sarute from one of my RS/Type 3's because I thought that it might be fake or mistakenly placed on this type of sword. Now I know better (may re-install the sarute). The sarute is similar to the one pictured in your photo. From the discussion here, it appears that tassels were commonly found on RS/Type 3's, and that they were threaded through the hole on the kabutogane or through a plain metal ring sarute.

Type 97's were carried by officers of the Special Naval Landing Forces and these forces were involved in plenty of combat. Therefore, Kai Guntos were combat-tested in many land actions, as well.

My thoughts exactly. I have four Type 95's, currently - one 1st version (brass tsuba) in great shape, two 2nd versions (first variation - top latch style) - one in excellent condition, the other is average, and one 3rd version "Pineapple sword" in good condition. I sold a 1st version model to a fellow NMB member a couple months ago. I am debating whether or not to sell one of my 2nd version models - the one that's in average condition. The blade and fittings are solid, but tsuka has much of the paint worn off. I would use the proceeds toward the purchase of another Type 97 Kai Gunto, since that is the type I'm enjoying most, currently.

This Type 95 NCO sword, albeit in great shape and with matching numbers, sold on eBay today for $2716.00 USD. Is this a new high for the sale of Type 95's? I am astonished at how high the bidding went for this one!

Thanks guys!

I would like some opinions on this pair of apparently matched Type 97 seppas. Are they of the higher quality type? How have they aged? Do they resemble their original color/patina, or has much of this worn away?

Thanks for the link Bruce!

Could someone please post a photo of a nice example of a Mantetsu blade in RS mounts, or post a link?

Knowing what is known about the construction of guntos, of the various gunto types fielded during the war, what type would be most reliable and/or perform best in the field? Would it be the Type 95? Would it be the RS (AKA, Type 3)? How would a Type 98 or Type 97 perform? And, for what types of tasks - cutting foliage, cutting barbed wire, use in combat (such as banzai charge), etc.?

I saw that one Trystan. Agree that it's priced too high.

We knew those things would sell like Hot Cakes as my grandma used to say. Lol

Thanks John! Something didn't seem right to me, but I was thinking age and deterioration could be the issue. I didn't really consider authenticity, so perhaps it's an old, poorly made reproduction.

Need help identifying my tassel. What the hec is this? I somehow acquired this tassel last Spring when I was very new to the hobby. I don't remember it being attached to a gunto - could have been included as an extra . It's been stored in a box with some Japanese militaria for months now - I had forgotten about it until last night when I opened the box again. At first I thought it was one of those light brown Gunzuko tassels we discussed recently in another thread, however this tassel is two-toned, light brown and orange. Could this be a colonel's tassel (brown/red combo) that has aged to the point where the red, to the extent it is still visible, has turned orange in color? The tassel appears aged and is fragile.

Very cool example Michael! Love the leather cover and the blackened fittings.

Congrats Stephen! Sorry that you couldn't impress Chris with a dirty Rin Tin Tin example. Lol! That's a beautiful blade and koshirae.

I concur John. Ian has an interesting example, indeed. I like everything about its unique look, including the flat-wrapped tsuka and the nice fittings - all the details! And, hopefully there's a nice blade inside that saya.

Here's a Sukekane blade recently polished by Jimmy Hayashi of San Francisco, CA.

I decided to add a tassel to one of my RS guntos. And, I found an interesting photo on the Ohmura site showing a pilot with an RS and a Type 98 next to him, and the RS has a tassel attached. Furthermore, from our discussions here, and the photographic evidence provided (thanks guys!), we can confidently conclude that tassels were attached to RS guntos with or without sarutes.

Good point Rob! Makes sense that there were less of this type produced compared to other types. As a new collector, I see so many of the RS type for sale on the current market that it gave me the impression that these were as common during the war as other types of gunto, at least during the final couple of years of the war. But, thinking about it now, and to your point, it makes sense that there would be less of these as they were really only seen in any significant numbers during 1944 and 1945. I would still like to see an estimate of the number of RS types produced vs other types, and I would still like to see some period photos of RS's with tassels attached. I may have to settle on realistic assumptions based on what has been discussed on this thread.

I'll let other more experienced collectors answer your questions, as I am new to Gunto collecting, as well. I do have to compliment you on your Type 98 - looks like a very nice example! The Mon on the kabutogane is something special, too.

I see your point Bruce - Army regulations requiring tassels. I agree with your assumption. But why do we have so many photos available of Type 98's, Kai Guntos, and Type 95's sporting tassels, and yet there's this lack of photos for the RS with tassels?

Fantastic Ed! These Kai Gunto photos are making me salivate. Lol!

Thanks for this information Bruce! Can we conclude that, during the war, most RS's did not have tassels attached and, that for those RS's that had tassels attached, there was a mix between some tassels being threaded through the hole in the kabutogane and others where a plain metal sarute (this would be the most common type of RS sarute) was attached with a tassel attached to it? Does this sound like a reasonable conclusion? I just wish we had more war time photos as evidence of these practices or lack thereof.