Gunto Input

[evergreen]

I picked this up and it needs some TLC.  What do you recommend to clean it up as well as any additional info anyone can add about the object itself?

 

Thanks

 

Dan

[Chefsmagic]

Hi Dan, 

 

Not so much of a specialist myself, but everything helps, isn't it. 

Rule1: do NOT try to do anything to the blade or tang, leave that to the professionals. Have you figured out what kind of you blade you have? Did you see any stamps, marks, signature or numbers? The fittings are ww2 material, besides the saya. Also check if the spacers are numbered, in the best case all numbers should be the same. 

The tsuka needs repair and probably rewrap. These things you can do if you have figured out what kind of blade you have, if you or your wallet think it's worth it to restore.  

Maybe add some close up pics to get more assistance. 

 

Good luck, 

 

Ron G. 

[Stephen]

take a little wood hammer or brass and tap the nakago until flaky red rust falls off, stiff bristle brush to remove rest of red rust, lightly oil, do it now 

Rust never sleeps

[george trotter]

Hi Dan,

After gently cleaning off the flakey rust and giving the tang a gentle oiling ...maybe use your fingers to "massage' the oily tang,..a lot of muck then comes out of any grooves...might work for you.

I can definitely see the presence of a mei on one side of the tang. After you clean off the gunk maybe we can help you read it.

Good luck.

Regards,

[evergreen]

Thanks for the replies everyone!  I will work on the red rust since there seems to be some consensus on the flakes.  I assume the brass or wood object to strike the rust with is to prevent additional red rust.  What kind of oil should I use on it?  I will definitely post some updated photographs when I've made some progress.

 

Dan

[cabowen]

use the search function as oil has been discussed many times....

[brannow]

From the look of the habaki it looks like a Mantetsu.

[reeder]

Good eye Brannow.

[Stephen]

just strike the layered rust toward nakago end, looks to be small kanji , doubt mantetsu. 

[evergreen]

So far, I've removed the flaking red rust with a resin hammer.  Here's what I've got showing of the mei so far.  Any ideas?

 

I think there may be another character or two above, but I don't want to get ahead of myself as I clean it.

 

Thanks!

 

dan

 

 

[Stephen]

http://japaneseswordindex.com/kanji/zodiac.htm

 

look at 1941

[evergreen]

Thanks for the quick reply, Stephen!  I haven't massaged the nakago yet or even taken a bristle brush to it, but I will post some additional photos at that point as well.  Per the page referenced, would this be a koa isshin mantetsu made in 1941?  Also, what is the best method for removing the habaki safely?

 

Thanks!

 

Dan

[Stephen]

Id say its a good chance

 

use your hammer and a wood shim tapping each side back and forth gently ,,,dont remember is not foil covered right?

[evergreen]

The habaki looks to be made of just brass, but I'm as green as it comes on nohinto!  Thanks for patience!

 

dan

[reeder]

Between the habaki and the zodiac date, I'm going with mantetsu.