HydroRacer

I posted a type 98 shin-Gunto over in the Nihonto forum (not knowing any better) that I inherited from my grandfather (he was a Marine in the Pacific theater in WWII). He also brought this Naval kyu-Gunto back as well. Other than that, I know very little about them. My dad told me he said he had taken them from a captured Japanese officer, but granddad was a bit of an embellisher, so I figure that's not really how he got them. Any further info would be appreciated. Any places I should look for markings, numbers, etc?

Sorry, wasn't thinking. I'll repost over in the military forum.

Here is the other sword I inherited from my grandfather. After looking online, I believe this to be a Naval kyu-gunto? Would make sense considering my grandfather was a Marine that this is what he'd bring home.

I've also found out that the fittings are not brass, but iron or some kind of steel with a copper wash or plating. What can I do to clean these parts without using any sort of polish or abrasive or to prevent them from further deterioration? There are some areas where the copper has worn off and it appears to have a somewhat shiny silver underneath (I would assume that is nickel since nickel is often plated first before copper?). What should I do, if anything, about the mekugi since it doesn't hold the tsuki on tightly anymore? Also, I have another word I received as well. I believe it too is a Japanese sword that looks like a dress or parade sword pictures I see. I will get it out of the safe and pictures of it later today.

After further reading, it matches the pictures (and description) of a shin-Gunto, but the scabbard has a leather covering and I can't tell if it is just wood or metal underneath (it is not just painted metal as the descriptions I read call for). Either way, this would still be a "Showato" because of how and when it was made, correct? I see quite a few examples for sale on various sites that look identical and prices vary wildly, anywhere from $100 to $4,000. I have no desire to sell this one because of sentimental value, but I would like to do something about the corrosion and what not. Since I do not plan to try to sell it, would cleaning it and polishing it still be a bad idea? The mekugi is in bad shape, part of one end is broken off and it has a sizable divot in the middle. It does not hold the tsuka on tightly and there is a lot of play in the seppa and tsuba (I'm learning the proper names for all the parts!). There are a couple of small tears/cracks in the same around the mekugi-ana as well. The wood inside the tsuka on the open end is cracked.

Here's a couple more shots of part of the blade. I tried to get shots along the length, but it's difficult with the lighting. But, the hamon is pretty consistent along both sides. It also looks like it has some kind of grainy pattern to it too as seen in the close up.

I have to run out to take my daughter back to her college dorm. I will take more pictures when I get back and post them.

Well, by luck and random googling, if what I've found is correct, it appears to be a shin-gunto (WWII Officer's sword). My dad did say at some point a long time ago that my grandfather claimed to have taken it from a captured Japanese officer.

So being non-traditional it's not particularly worth much?

I am including pictures of a katana I inherited from my grandfather. All I can tell you is that he was a Marine in WWII. I have no other information other than he brought it home with him. I am just curious if it is "legit", has any value, or if it is just a tourist souviner he picked up while overseas. Pictures are as disassembled, no cleaning done (I don't want to do anything that might devalue it if it is worth anything). I apologize for not knowing the correct terms for the parts. Tang, right side. I tried get the red marking as readable as possible and I suspect the black markings were added with a marker at some point, perhaps by my Grandfather? Yes, it is a bit rusty. Left side tang, engraved markings: Left side tang further up: A piece of paper that was on the underside of the tang: How the paper was wrapped on the tang: Some of the fittings: The rest of the fittings: The handle: Overall view: Close up of blade, there is a hamon: