Three New Gunto - Out of the Woodwork

[dnmmilo]

I've recently purchased 3 new swords, two with Type 98 fittings and one a Type 3. I have had a crack at translating the script on the nakago and hope some of you guys might be able to correct my translations if I have got them wrong. I'll show them one after the other.

 

The first sword is a type 98 and I believe the signature is YOSHIZUMI, pictures of this sword are attached below:

[george trotter]

Sorry Mr (name unknown), but the mei is fake....from the pic the tang appears Chinese and mei is a dremel tool job IMHO. Is that tang on that blade? I ask because quality of the blade looks a bit better than the quality of the tang.

Hilt and hilt fittings look OK though.

I hope the other 2 swords are better.

[dnmmilo]

I'd certainly appreciate a second opinion on that George. I've attached some more photo's, let me know if there are any more required. Cheers David

[Kai-Gunto]

I go with Geroge on the mei.

[dnmmilo]

George, I've just had another look and I reckon you are right, It looks like a fake blade in original mounts. The shape of the haft is wrong and the mei seem to have been carved through the patina. Thanks for educating me and giving me the opportunity to recover my money. If you hadn't given me the 'heads up' I wouldn't have been able to claim in time. I definitely owe you a beer mate. Cheers David

[dnmmilo]

Second sword, hope this is better than the first. I believe that the blade is signed MASAFUSA and dated Showa Juhachi-Nen. Grateful for any information.

[jason y]

Here is the link for first sword:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WWII-Japanese-S ... 7675.l2557

 

Tell us what you think??

[John A Stuart]

The sword by Masafusa, could it be made by Shoda Kisichi a RJT smith who worked at the forge of Shizu Saburo Kaneuji? John

[Daniel]

Hi

My two cents for what it's worth about the first sword. Yes, the nakago is very crude and the mei look to say the least strange. That said I still believe it to be an original shingunto. I know the term late war is often misused but could it be the case here?

Kind Regards

Daniel

[george trotter]

Hi David, I looked at the link...the blade and fittings look WWII original...either the tang has been butchered or it was cut off and a new tang welded on and "signed"...this is my opinion.

 

The second sword looks original and as John said is Masafusa and dated 1943. If he is Shoda Masafusa it is maybe his showato work (although hamon looks good...maybe water quenched?), but signed nakirishi mei (sword workshop mei cutter guy did it), see Slough pp.97-98.

 

Was there a 3rd sword?

regards,

[jason y]

Reason why i post the original link is that i sold that sword on eBay.

I have post the pictures on listing that could approve that sword is not a fake and buyer contact me that i have sold fake sword.

As i am a Japanese sword collector i never buy or sell fake stuff.

Since i have no questions ask return policy for 14 days on my item that i have sold so i am taking it back and i just want to make myself clear on this to buyer.

Thank you guys!

[dnmmilo]

G'day Mr Inhyuk Yoon (or Jason Y),

 

Thank you for your message on this board and on e-bay. For your information and that of the other board members, I took the sword to the senior armourer (Mr Dave Webb) at the Royal Military College (RMC) Duntroon here in Canberra and he has confirmed that the inscription 'mei' on this sword have been cut through the original surface patina and have then been artificially aged with vinegar or a similar substance. In his opinion the sword has been tampered with fairly recently as the engraving is still fresh under the artificial aging. He reinforced George's opinion that the characters have been 'cut' with a modern 'Dremel' like tool.

 

In light of his advice and the opinions expressed by the highly regarded and knowledgeable members of this board I have returned the sword to you. I should add that your claim that your return policy covers you for not refunding me the $62.50 cost of sending the sword back to you is a pretty shabby excuse to avoid any cost to you. If your sword had been as described I would been happy to retain it and there would have been no reason to return it.

 

Cheers David

[dnmmilo]

G'day George,

 

You asked about the third sword (pictures attached). I've had a crack at translating the inscription which I think reads 'YOSHIHIRO' . Having been wrong every time I've tried so far I don't expect its 100% but hopefully I'm getting better. Grateful for an accurate translation though.

 

Cheers David

[cabowen]

Katsumasa 勝正

 

Feb., 1945

 

Showa-to/non-traditionally made

[george trotter]

Hi David,

Yes, as Chris said, it is Katsumasa Seki smith, family name Kojima)...Don't feel discouraged by getting the mei wrong this time...the WWII "chippy" style of mei cutting can be very hard....the fittings are Type 3.

 

Bad luck about the dodgy tang and mei...all part of the learning curve I'm afraid. If you haven't already got it, I'd suggest getting a copy of Slough...he has 100s of examples of mei styles/nakago shape/yasuri etc of the WWII era.

Also you can browse the "Links" link above...go to "Japanese Sword Index" and look through the 100s of oshigata and tang pics under "Showa Oshigata Database"...you will probably see some more Katsumasa mei there.

Just a rule of thumb, "the better the writing the more likely it is that it is a better blade"

Regards,

[dnmmilo]

G'day Chris, George,

 

Thank you for that information - one day I will get one right (its a statistical certainty). Your last bit of advice is 'gold'. It would be interesting to come up with a short list of similarly clear tips for novices. Perhaps a 'Nihonto Novices ten commandments'.

 

Thanks again.

 

Best Regards

 

David