Scogg

I’m reluctant drawing any conclusion from the images and description provided when these swords can be so diverse. I thought the sword in question was a company grade army dress saber. Originally with untempered, dull, and nickel plated or chromed blade with an artificial hamon. Often threaded or peened to the handle. These have been found with huge variety of blade styles, even foreign blades. They are often dull. They can be bought and sold for around $200 USD, unless they have unusual or interesting features. https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/13294-type-19-kyu-gunto-dress-swords-i-love-them/ Is there something I’m missing (other than the seller description) that suggests the blade is a zink or alloy replacement? With respect, -Sam

@Kiipu, are you saying that you think this parade sword / dress saber is a replica? I agree the one in your link is modern, but that’s a much more desirable and different type of kyu gunto. I’m not so sure about this one. I figure it’s advertised as a replica because this type of sword would otherwise be illegal to sell in Japan (where it is being sold from)

These Kyu Gunto dress swords are relatively inexpensive and fairly common, which is why they are rarely faked. The few replicas I’ve personally encountered have been very obvious; typically much more poorly made than this example. They were generally unsharpened and often feature an etched hamon. Of the couple dozen I’ve handled, the quality has varied quite a bit, with some clearly better made than others. My understanding is that these were produced by a wide range of workshops, which explains the significant variation in both design and overall quality. @lonely panet would be the guy I would ask for confirmation, if he's willing to offer his input. -Sam

The Kyu Gunto is not a replica, IMO. If the description describes a replica, then they may be talking about that sword keychain. Maybe a scam? Makes you think its a kyu gunto, but really it's for the keychain? Alternatively; I have seen some people on Facebook Marketplace list genuine swords as "replicas" or "props" to bypass facebooks weapons-selling-ban algorithm.

Wonderful Trystan, thank you so much for the translation, document, and interpretation. How fascinating! @Rawa, your guess is as good as mine. This is just a listing on eBay, and it is not in my possession. It looks like the haikan is affixed to a leather band that is wrapped around the wooden saya. Maybe it can slide up and down. All the best, -Sam

A general grade knot would be the cherry on top. It's always hard to justify when I can get a whole sword for similar prices I have two company grade sword knots (One seen on my saber, the other is near-mint condition in-box) and also a field grade knot that's near-mint condition and also in-box. All three knots in-box would be really cool to have alongside these sabers. Maybe someday! -Sam

General grade saber arrived today. Excited to round out my collection of these. The general grade saber is very standard, not sharp, no mon, but it has that SA stamp, and some other unusual markings around where the blade enters the guard. From left to right: General Grade Dress Sword. Field Grade with straight imported blade. Company Grade with sharpened blade. Best, -Sam

Hi @Ben A Harris, @vajo, @John C and @Bruce Pennington I have relocated this thread to the NIHONTO section. Ben, I did this because it seems that your blade is not machine made. It appears older, and maybe interesting. Sometimes older blades were put into WW2 fittings to be carried during the war. Now that we're in this section, you will be asked to provide more detailed photos (if willing). You will want to remove all the fittings, including habaki, and focus on the blade. Use my photo below for some guidance. Please understand that it's very challenging to get blade details photographed, so it will not be an easy task. I recommend looking around the forum, and getting an idea of what some good photos look like. Looking forward to seeing more of your sword, if you choose to share with us. All the best, -Sam

Thanks Steve, great point. To me it looks like red paint, which doesn’t necessarily raise or lower any flags. If it’s paint, it could have worn off other examples, or it could have been applied later by anyone. I’ve never seen anything like it -Sam

Spotted on eBay this morning. https://ebay.us/m/6KRoOF

I agree with the comments above. Looks like something severely altered, and put together to deceive potential buyers. By coincidence, I have the exact same tsuba, which came to me in a lot of miscellaneous fittings. Mine is clearly a modern reproduction or fake. It’s made from a metallic material painted black, with copper-colored highlights applied over the paint. Something that, in my opinion, suggests an attempt to imitate the look of a genuine piece. I’m not much of a “fittings guy”, but that’s how I’ve always interpreted it. -Sam

Hi @David E, I’m going to relocate this to the ‘wanted to buy’ section.Best of luck with your search for a tanto. Best, -Sam

No worries Harvey. Instead of putting them through a resizing program; sometimes cropping the image, or taking a screenshot on your phone will get them small enough to post. Although, as far as I can tell, everything looks good. Looks like a nice cutout tsuba. Interesting scabbard paint. What about the sword made you suspect forgery? Best of luck, -Sam

Hi Chris, This particular topic is many months old, and the original poster has not logged on since January. If you want tariff information, there are several threads about that subject. Tariffs seemingly change with the wind, so what was relevant in August may not be relevant today. https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/53371-importing-nihonto-through-us-customs-and-tariff-info/ https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/55055-can-someone-help-me-understand-the-tariff-sitch-as-of-22026/ https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/54422-tarriff-update-tsuba-from-Japan/ https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/52348-received-a-blade-from-Japan-in-the-usa-no-tariffs/ Best of luck, -Sam

Here's the link to the Emura that Chandler found, just for future reference: Also, here is the entry in full from Slough: