Kolekt-To

Hey guys, attached is a photo of two of my tassels pictured side by side for comparison. They're both a little beat up, but hanging in there (pun intended!). I believe the one on the left is a late war Army type (solid medium-brown color). I can't determine if the one on the right is Army or Navy. My first impression was that it is a faded Navy tassel because it's darker than the army tassel in the picture and darker than a couple of other medium-brown tassels I own. However, in comparison to my Navy tassels that are the typical dark chocolate-brown color, I'm now unsure of it being a Navy tassel. Could it be an Army tassel that was produced in a slightly darker, or more tan, color? Or, could it be a Navy tassel that has faded and lightened over time? What do you think about the tassel on the right - Army or Navy?

Congrats on the acquisition Chris! Very nice. I acquired a Hattori Masahiro Kai Gunto about a month ago and it's currently in the hands of one of my Koshirae restoration guys. In my case, the Ito was torn and it needed a re-wrap, so I brought it over to Randy's house in Phoenix and he's doing the work. I should have it back sometime next month. Randy has an excellent reputation, has been doing Koshirae restoration work on Nihonto and Gunto for over 30 years (it's his full-time job), and he receives swords from all over the world to restore (he stays very busy!). Regarding Hattori Masahiro, from what I have read, he did work for the Takayama Tanrenjo (which made swords mostly for the Navy) and was a well-regarded swordsmith. I know I feel fortunate to have one of his examples in my collection, especially since I've been on this Type 97 mission for a few months now. Something about those Navy swords.

Great posts! Matthew, what is a "Lida lock gunto", and what is an "SMR" gunto? I hadn't heard of these types until you mentioned them in your post. And, FYI, that Type 94 in the photo I posted just sold today for $3400.00 USD. Is that an average price in the current market for a Type 94 in good condition?

I've really enjoyed the posts here! This is my first year collecting and my initial goal was to have a range of gunto that represented the various types (Type 95's, Type 98, Rinji Seishiki, Type 97). I've nearly achieved that - still don't have a side-latch version Type 95, or the very last variation of the 3rd version "Pineapple sword", or a Type 94. Ironically, I viewed the elusive Type 94 up for bid on invaluable this morning - see attached photo (too bad I'm not in a position to bid, currently). And, strangely enough, I find myself drawn to the Type 97 Kai Guntos - something about the Koshirae. So, I think my current goals are similar to Bruce's initial goals, however, after meeting with my mentor and having my mindset changed, I am now more focused on quality rather than quantity, so I'm moving in that direction (as others have mentioned here with being more focused on the quality of the blade). And, finally (this seems to contradict my previous statement), though I am now more concerned with blade quality and the smith, there is also something about a gunto with damaged/worn Koshirae that peeks my interest. And I believe that's the case because I now know restoration experts who can repair and restore Koshirae, and I really enjoy seeing Tsukas and Sayas restored on formerly damaged swords. Having said that, I don't want to deal with a rusty old scratched, dinged, and pitted blade - the blade has to be in decent shape.

I'm new to the hobby and I've become curious about the topic of Collecting Goals. At first my goal was simply to have a few swords that represented the common designs of Gunto (Type 98, Type 97, RS, Type 95). After months of being involved in the hobby, and now better educated (from my readings, to being educated by NMB members, and from learning from my mentor and Koshirae repair guys), my collecting goals are beginning to evolve. I'm interested in the collecting goals of my fellow collectors. What were your past goals? How did your goals evolve? What are your goals for your collection, currently?

The Ishizuke (end cap that fits over the Kojiri *tip of saya - correct me, if I am wrong on this) is kind of cool and distinctive, in my opinion.

Great info and great resources - thanks again guys. For all of us Kai Gunto fans, this is awesome! P.S. I have two of my Type 97's undergoing Koshirae restoration, currently - Tsuka re-wraps, specifically. One is with David McDonald in Montana, the other with Randy Black (my local guy here in the Phoenix, AZ. area). I'll be posting photos when I get my swords back in the weeks ahead. Note: Randy just completed a saya repair for one of my Toyokawa arsenal Kai Guntos - he did a great job (replaced the Kuchigane and the Ishizuke, and applied lacquer to some areas that needed it). Happy collecting!

Thanks Bruce! I was not familiar with those articles - will read them.

Beautiful pieces Neil. Thank you for sharing!

I understand that, as compared to information about RJT smiths, information about Kaigun Toko (Navy-certified swordsmiths) is lacking. However, does anyone have a partial list available, or at least some names of the more well-known Navy smiths? The name Inaba Kaneyoshi was discussed on the board in the past, but I believe that was the only name that appeared when I searched the site.

Price range on this Navy baby? We've got to know.

I really like the "feel" of the latest incarnation of the NMB - nice job on the upgrade!

I've been watching and ordering a lot of WW2 movies recently, and that movie is on my list to watch. Glad you guys mentioned it!

Don't feel bad about the price. Most of these Bayonets are now in the $200 - $300.00 range on eBay, Gun Broker, and on other collectibles and auction sites. Some in better condition, some worse. But, over the last 6 months I've not seen many, in decent shape at least, for less than $200.00 USD. That's the current reality. Maybe you can negotiate and get a seller to accept a lower price, but, in general, that's the price range now. We're seeing inflation in almost everything these days, including military collectibles.

Well, that is sad, indeed. If it came from a surrendering officer there would, at least, be a better story behind it.

Some surrendering Japanese officers snapped their blades in half in an act of defiance. Is that likely what occurred here?

Cool look, but strange. This ain't your typical Pineapple sword!

I believe I got better results by using Acetone first. The greatest reduction in staining was achieved by repeatedly rubbing with an Acetone-soaked cloth. I followed up by repeatedly rubbing with Never Dull. I'm not completely satisfied because I desired 90-100% of the stains removed, however much progress was made on two of the three stains. That third stain was tough and I wasn't able to reduce it much - it's small, but quite visible. I'll just have to be satisfied with the results achieved. The blade does look better now. Thanks for the recommendations guys!

"Onoda" film is not available yet in the U.S. I've seen the trailer - looks good!

Messaging you now. 5 minutes later: My message was not sent because, when I sent it, I got a message stating that your account is not set up to receive messages - strange... Anyway, I may have a Gunto for sale within your price range. Message me if interested. Thanks!

Coming at us with raised Guntos! Scene from "Battle of Okinawa" (Japanese film, 1971).

Pretty sure this is the one that sold today on eBay for $2247.00. Two bidders really wanted that sword. The bids jumped by a thousand dollars from prior bids to the final few bids.

No, I can't feel the stains. The polish arrived today. Maybe I'll try a very small amount of paint thinner to a small area of the stain, just to test that method. If no results, then I'll go to the polish. If I do get results with the thinner, I'll follow up with the polish. I'll post my results when finished.

I'm less than 6 months in and my mind has exploded with knowledge - most of which was gained here!

Thanks Neil! I just ordered it and will be delivered tomorrow. Hopefully I'll get the results you and Rob have experienced.