Mark C

Here is the nakago of the kogarasu tanto that the torokusho belongs to. I can see the Bizen Osafune ( 備前長船 ) and Kane but having trouble seeing the Mitsu kanji, What do you think? I'm going to say Gimei until I clarify otherwise. It also looks like someone (not me) has been cleaning Many thanks Mark

Thanks Uwe, I wonder if this is the prefecture that the torokusho was issued? Mark

Hi Everyone, Please can I have some help with this torokusho. I have got: Date - 6th April 1967 Tanto Nagasa - 14.6cm Sori - 0.2cm Mekugi ana - 1 Mei - Bizen Osafune Kanemitsu Would like to know what two the character stamp is above the blued out number? Many thanks Mark

Excellent, For those who didn't know of the Fuller and Gregory books, Here's a pic. I can't see the pink Oshigata book listed above: R. Fuller & R. Gregory 1985 ( I believe these were a limited edition) Regards

I've done simular but used rice glue.

Hi Everyone, I'm looking to mount an iron sayagata (Manji) fuchi & Kashira. Could I please ask for your thoughts/ideas for a pair of menuki that would be a suitable match. Thanks in advance All the best

Hi Bruce, No date on other side Regards

Hi All, I'm investigating a sword with a two character Mei "Ishido" Am I wrong in thinking it could be Ishido Teruhide. The nearest mei i could find is Ishido Saku. Has anyone seen just the two character mei without saku before? As always, your assistance is greatly appreciated. All the best

Seppa are fairly easy and a new mekugi is also easy. I would have no problems with rewraps etc as long as they are declared as a newly well wrapped tsuka looks a lot better than one with wrecked or missing ito For the few Gunto's I have, I have made up an info sheet for each that goes with the sword if/when sold. This sheet states what has and hasn't been done to the sword as well as the usual sword info of dimensions etc etc. All of my Gunto's have the original saya finish no matter how scruffy it is as this is the way I like to keep them. Don't get me wrong, it's nice to have a sword in minty fittings but it is also nice to have a Gunto koshirae that says it's been there and done it. I have been asked and have straightened, removed dents and repainted 2 gunto saya (They were virtually scrap due to the damage) but as Dave and Bruce have said, they just look too clean and crisp to be original.

Quick way to check if the Tsuka is original is to put the peg into the hole through the tsuka and see if it is a good fit. If it wobbles around like a stone in a bucket, It probably isn't original. Like Dave says, 8 seppa is possible and if the tsuka is original it would be fairly easy to sort out. Just my 2 pennies worth.

Hi All, Thanks for the reply's. After careful measuring regarding the nakago and all seems to be ok, I know it looks altered but the measurements say different. There are corrosion patches on the nakago in that area. I managed to get a picture of the Boshi, What do you think? I also would like to ask if this would be considered Kyo-Yakidashi? Again, thanks for the replies. Be careful out there.

This is the one you want.

Page 191 in the blue Fuller and Gregory's book has the same pictures + info

Hi David, Welcome to a wonderful place. Sword #1 I believe it's KIYOMIYA, a showa period Gunto smith. Real name Noguchi Tetsu. Born September 6th 1911. With a Seki stamp there is little chance of there being any Hada BUT there is always exceptions to the rules. Sword#2 I will let the more learned people help you. Regards

Hi All, Many thanks for your comments. As usual, I'm way off There is definatley something going on with the nakago regarding the shinogi line, Can't see any reminance of a signature. I have been looking for Mino hamons that are the same/simular but as of yet haven't found any. Looking at the Boshi, the picture above looks suguha but the other side isn't. It is also a right pig to photograph but I will get there. Will have this one polished sometime in the future so hopefuly will make identifying the keys features easier. Anyways, back to the books to research the Kanesada School. Again, Many thanks for your help. regards

Hi JP, Arghh, It would seem that i'm having trouble with me numbers now Sakihaba is actually 27mm not 17. Torii Sori Cheers

Hi JP, I did see that and it looks like a Z. looked at with a jewellers loope and I cant make it out. I will try to get a closeup pic and post. Cheers

Thank you very much, I would not of worked that lot out in a million years.

Hi All, I have just got a new Katana and am looking advice as to what it might be. In Gunto fittings as discussed in the Military sword section (Rather large Sarute) Nagasa - 24 1/4" (Uchikatana?) Short nakago of 6 5/8" and Possible Bizen in shape? Motohaba - 37mm Sakehaba - 27mm Sori - 15mm Tori Hamon -Gunome Choji but Choji appears to be hollow, Bizen? Can I see Utsuri in the forth picture or is it my very tired and old eyes Although the polish isn't good at all and my pictures are not the best, Taken with an led tourch and compact camera I would appreciate any opinions. My very uneducated guess would be Sue Koto Bizen (I know this covers a broad spectrum) and I'm probably way off. Many thanks in advance. Regards

Thanks everyone, Out of interest John, what is the blade in your large sarute mounts? Would love the read about the Gunto repair teams Bruce, Is the info in a book or on the web? Again, many thanks

Hi All, I know it's probably only assemblers markings but I would love to know what it all says/means. Top left could be 41 which is the number on all the fittings. Many thanks in advance. All the best

Thanks everyone, A few more pictures of the rest. The blade I'm still trying to work out, Mumei, 241/4" nagasa. Pierced tsuba, 6 seppa and an ashi which I have not encountered before. All the best

Hi All, I wouldn't of thought this is original but who knows? Regards

Done. Mark C

I needed a couple last year, Identified the thread as 1/8 BSW from the remaining screws that were present on the saya and made two new brass screws. I did no modification of exsisting threads (in either the fitting or saya) so if I'm lucky enough to find some original ones to fit they should simply screw in. Being a toolmaker by trade it wasn't to difficult, I even marked them up a little so they looked the part after aging. In the UK there doesn't seem to be a ready supply of junk saya's with fittings or I can't find any under £100+ Mark