Cuirassier

Hi all Someone touted a shin gunto to me. I passed on it based on these markings. But I thought I would post a pic here to see if anyone says "OMG, you idiot"

A theory? The two Mekugi-ana got me too. If it were a post war bodge, that would not explain the two holes; sure, you could say "parts replacement saya, tsuka, etc." but for a machine made blade? So, the second hole was made for this tsuka. So what could have come before it and explain also the tsuba? Sherlock says "A for military katana, converted to a gunto, tsuba retained". We all don't want our own bodges / parts swords, I know. But I did not pay a fortune for it and really it is a case of do I keep the tsuba as part of its war time history, or buy a regulation gunto tsuba and replace it? The thing besides the two Mekugi-ana aspect for me is that the tsuba (brown) sort of matches the saya colour wise; is that because the tsuba has since patinated (tend not to think so)? And yes, Bruce, you are right, a lot of saya paint has worn / come off. Keep the tsuba as part of its WW2 history? Or buy a gunto tsuba and sell the copper one? What would you do?

I believe the seller. He had a number of different things (medals, etc.) from his grandpa. He did not sell / negotiate as a typical BS'er. Not least as I bought another from him, a Supreme non-military Gendaito waki, absolutely golden.

Gday John Here they are. There is the remains of a silver mon on the pommel, which I presumed the officer defaced pre-surrender. The saya is an unusual colour as well perhaps? Cheers

Hi Guys. Thank you. You are right; it is not iron (not magnetic). It is just so heavy I presumed it was. Gunto blade is 1942, so would this likely have been added from the outset, or as a replacement for a traditional / standard gunto tsuba? Any thoughts?

Hello Dave. It was on a shin gunto which the seller was disposing of for his grandfather's (deceased) estate in the firm belief this was an untouched WW2 bring back.

Thanks Ray, Piers. Not in the format I'm used to.

Hello all I wondered if anyone else has come across these; a plain brown iron tsuba for a gunto, styled like a true 1934/1938 shin gunto tsuba, but not. Any info / input welcome; note the fitting punch marks.

Hi All. I don't need help with the mei; I have uploaded it here only for reference. It is a machine made Seki stamped blade; the mei is HideToshi, a very common mei. But I don't get / can not figure out the inscription on the reverse side; it is not a date, at least not on the date format I know. I have always just assumed these thihgs are battle cries, but would like to know if I am right and what it actually says please. Thanks in anticipation

Sure

As a follow up to my post, I never heard back from Richard Adams but have found and used a great tsuka restorer (he brilliantly rebound my WW2 Kai Gunto tsuka); Bal (Balbir Jhheent), email balbir.jhheent@hotmail.com - I hope this helps others

Thanks Uwe. I guess I am as accurate as Russian missiles. Will do Geraint, in a few days after I get to photo it. Cheers

Hi Guys Having been saved by you from buying a katana whose mei ended "(made) in Hanon (China)" , I decided I was still worldly enough to pick up a wakizashi which I am confident is authentic Japanese I generally only shop around for guntos, and know what I am doing there. So this is a bit of a punt. I did not pay a lot for it, so I can take what is to come! I think it says Hiromasa Sadatsuji, but I bet I am wrong, but hopefully not by too much a margin? Pretty please.....

Thanks guys. Lesson to me: Stick to guntos

Guys. Don't shoot me down. I can generally cope with gunto meis, but this is way beyond my abilities. It is clearly, I think, a post war blade. I think it is superb; don't tell me they can etch stainless steel like this! My best go at it; Toto Mi Son Tetsu A Hori ? ? Dai or O Michi No idea what the other markings are Help / thanks

He is in the USA

David McDonald Thanks Stephen

Thanks Ian; that is what I have; if you are in contact with him, can you ask him to check his spam box

Thanks Ian. Has he changed his email recently?

Hi All I used Richard Adams before and he was great, but now he appears to be AWL :(. Any recommendations? I have a kai gunto where the ito has come loose all the way. Please help

Thanks guys. Appreciated.

I suspect it is a post-WW2 blade but have no idea. Not sure about it at all. Any help? Cheers

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