Gunto tang translation please

[WestPat23]

Hello,

I was reccomended here from another forum. I am looking to buy a WWII gunto with a blade a little different than other examples I have seen. He is asking 750$, and that is more than I am willing to pay with no documentation.

The blade is 26.5" and the tang is single peg. saya and koshirae, along with locking pin are in excellent shape. Mekugi has been replaced with a stick. Same is torn around mekugi, but otherwise tsuka is great also. Blade has some severe oxidation but ha is razor sharp. There are 5 characters,

Here they are in order of appearance

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh5 ... AG0796.jpg

 

 

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh5 ... AG0791.jpg

[Stephen]

think your likly to get same as what you got on the Mark, one full shot of all the mei works better than extream closeups.

[Jean]

there is a translation section where I move the topic.

 

David, please, sign all your posts with a name as per the board rules.

[SwordGuyJoe]

Looks to me like Maekawa (?)tsugu Saku. Looks like toshi, but I don't think it is.

[WestPat23]

Here are three, four, and five.

Thanks for any insight,

David

 

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh5 ... AG0792.jpg

 

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh5 ... AG0793.jpg

 

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh5 ... AG0795.jpg

[WestPat23]

Thank you and sorry for the bad behavior.

I do have a picture of the tang as a whole.

It may have some other small mark above the first character.

There are no other inscriptions on the tang or blade.

The koshirae are all stamped with a 5, but no other markings or stamps on blade or saya.

 

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh5 ... AG0748.jpg

The picture is not as good but it lends more perspective.

Thanks again for looking,

David

[SwordGuyJoe]

The small mark is a seki arsenal stamp.

[WestPat23]

Any idea on the date.

I am mainly trying to decide if it was hand forged or machine made.

750$ just seems like a lot, especially if it was a late war production. The furniture and saya are nice, but the blade needs a good cleaning at the least. I am trying to establish whether or not the blade is of good enough quality to warrant that kind of money.

If not what would be a fair offer.

Thanks again for the clues,

David West

[Brian]

David,

The Seki arsenal stamp already indicates non-traditional manufacture...in other words more mass produced.

$750 is top end for an arsenal blade. Not really worth it imho. Why do you say the blade is different from other examples you have seen? It should be fairly standard.

 

Brian

[WestPat23]

Just speaking more of pictures than actual inspection.

The tang and fewer characters are different from a lot of the examples cited on websites. Also the mune forms more of a diamond shape at the end, also no blood groove. It also has a hamon that looks like the teeth of a saw, or the profile of a shoe sole.

It seems to be widest at the perpendicular line where the kisakki begins, and tapers back to a point. Most of the blades I have seen online are straight along the spine.

I hope that makes sense,

David.

Ps Thanks for your assessment.

[WestPat23]

Here are links to the kisakki and a look at the hamon.

 

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh5 ... AG0720.jpg

 

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh5 ... AG0802.jpg

 

Thanks again for your time,

David

[SwordGuyJoe]

At $750, I'd pass the sword is in terrible condition.

[WestPat23]

Thanks for the honesty, that settles the matter for me.

All this research has increased my interest for a nice gunto or a real nihonto.

By the way, is there such thing as a "starter" true nihonto.

One that I would not have to sell my car or get a second job to pay for.

Thanks for all your help.

David

[Jean]

David,

 

Between 1,5-2 k$, you can get a decent wakizashi in polish.

[watsonmil]

By the way, is there such thing as a "starter" true nihonto.

One that I would not have to sell my car or get a second job to pay for.

Short answer, ... NO ! If you cannot afford what is basically a rich man's sport, .... then you can still participate by buying books on the subject and enjoying the hobby from a students point of view. Not everone who enjoys Formula 1 racing owns one.

... Ron Watson

[Stephen]

looking for gunto thats clean, look here on this very site.

 

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=15684

[runagmc]

I'm afraid I have to disagree with Mr. Watson on this. There are lots of functionally sound Nihon-to on the market that range from around $1000, to as much as you want to spend... just understand that you will get what you pay for... but yes, there are plenty of decent "starter swords" out there.

[David Flynn]

It's actually a good time to buy at the moment. The market is relatively depressed.

[Brian]

I would also agree that from about $1000 upwards, you can get reasonably starter pieces that you can appreciate whilst you build up your book collection and prepare for a bigger purchase. Nice Gendaito or wakizashi can be had in the region of $1500. $2000 can get you even better Gendai swords or sometimes an in polish wakizashi. Under the $1K mark is where you struggle to find something that is half decent, but in this little community of ours, there are always good deals to satisfy that first sword craving.

 

Brian

[WestPat23]

Thanks to all for the help, and especially to Brian for taking his time for a new member.

One last question and I think this will wrap up the post. What would be the top 2-3 books you would recommend, and where would be the best place to get them.

Thanks again,

David

[Jean]

David,

 

There is a search button at the top of the Board which will give you this answer. This topic is raised at least 2/3 times a month. The answer was given in another topic no more than a week ago.

[Alan Morton]

Hello David,

 

Where do you live ? Gun shows or if possible a Sword Show is always

 

a good place to start , other sword collectors tend to go to these places

 

and might take pity on a rank newbie like your self if you show interest.

 

Also Sword Societies are every where, in the Links section here on NMB.

 

Alan.

[WestPat23]

I live North of Birmingham,

Alabama USA that is. I am about 2.5 hours from Atlanta, GA. I know there is much going on there, but I work every Saturday so it limits my events. I will continue to keep my eyes peeled, and make some time to educate myself.

Thanks for the encouragement,

David