Simp4Hood

They aren't really visible in the pictures so I'll quickly post them here, but it's also a major signal that it's probably a repro, but aditionally the tang is obviously too short for the tsuba and there is cardboard or something inside to stuff it.

Yeah, I thought it was a repro too. Though I still like it and it doesn't look like it's purposely aged.

Hello, I am new to this board, although I've been lurking for a while—haha. So please forgive me if I use some of the terminology incorrectly, and feel free to correct me. I was recently able to purchase a Type 98 Guntō at an auction. Although I am not completely sure if it's genuine, I still like it. I do think it's quite old, but I have my doubts about its authenticity. I noticed that the tsuka-ito is wrapped a bit irregularly, and a screw was used instead of a mekugi. Furthermore, there are no markings, stamps, or mei on the tang. And the Tang appears to have been shortened, but it does not look like the tang of an old blade. I had a very difficult time removing the tsuba, and I have found it to be impossible to remove the haba haha. But the sword is magnetic (as is the saya), and I think I can see the hada, though it's difficult to say for sure due to the oil used by the previous owner, which has turned the entire blade a copper color. Because of this, I also cannot really see the hamon at all. I wish to clean the blade of the previous oil and apply machine oil with a little bit of clove oil. However, I wanted to ask if cleaning it with isopropyl alcohol is the best way. I can take more pictures if needed or wanted. I'll take additional pictures regardless once I've cleaned the blade. Thank you in advance. Kind regards, D. Knol