First For Me

[Stephen]

Just when you think you have seen it all, something else pops up.

Yes we have seen same* covered saya, but over metal and cut to apply design? 

Surely a GI didnt do this, but it does have that trench art feel.  

http://www.ebay.com/itm/K115-Japanese-WWll-Army-officer-039-s-sword-in-kyugunto-mountings-034-Kanekiyo-034-/121687235947?&_trksid=p2056016.m2516.l5255

 

[Kai-Gunto]

Yes, and the folding lock on a kyugunto.

[Johnny Barracuda]

It seems unique, indeed. The mountings are a mix of bespoke parts (the engraved and not cast strap), reengineered parts (the Navy-style folding guard installed on what appears to be a standard kyu gunto  knuckle bow) and plain weird parts (the same-covered metal scabbard).

 

Well, considering some very strange variations of the Army kyu gunto showed in Dawson's book, why not this one? The blade looks genuine.

 

Due to the anchor engraved on the same covering, my guess is that this sword belonged to an officer of the Naval Special Landing Forces, with poor taste and money to waste, because this unique and rather ugly same covering must have cost a lot of money.

[Brian]

Interesting find...must have been hell on the uniform since the stuff is like sandpaper.

Kyu Gunto with an older blade is something that appeals to me though, must get one oneday.

 

Brian

[lonely panet]

I was hoping nobody would see this, was hoping to get it cheap

[Johnny Barracuda]

No problem with me. I find it very ugly, so no competition on my part.

 

But I agree with Brian, the blade is appealing.

[Stephen]

Ham 

 

Depending on my ebay sales we may battle,,,lol... way its going i think your safe from me.

Yes its gaudy and not a bad looking blade, i think it will go higher than it should...ya never know with ebay.

[Stephen]

 My gut feeling, this was done post war, by whom hard to tell, reminds me of the string wrap Navy vets did, id go out on a limb and say it was done very recently to sell to treasure hunting gaijin, best part from the pix is the blade. Wish i could bid.

[Brian]

I was hoping nobody would see this, was hoping to get it cheap

You mean no-one except the tens of thousands that check out every Japanese sword on eBay daily?

Sorry, but the days of people not noticing are long gone.

 

Brian

[Kai-Gunto]

You mean no-one except the tens of thousands that check out every Japanese sword on eBay daily?

Sorry, but the days of people not noticing are long gone.

 

Brian

Not true

[Brian]

Thomas,

In cases like this, where there are no misspellings and the seller is a known and prolific seller of Nihonto...afraid it is.

 

Brian

[Kai-Gunto]

Thomas,

In cases like this, where there are no misspellings and the seller is a known and prolific seller of Nihonto...afraid it is.

 

Brian

True .

[lonely panet]

and don't forget the 99% of the world, who like swords and no nothing about them

like the folding latch on a army sword, and the extra heavy knuckle guard, that type of engraving on the backstrap.

 

true the saya is a "ugly as a hat full of asholes", but you can always replace the saya or remove the same. the blade and handle are the main attraction, the saya is abit of a sideshow.

[george trotter]

That is a very clear example of an "uchi-zori" nakago. I have seen this a few times, always with blades fitted to Kyu-gunto mounts. The nakago is bent towards the cutting edge to fit the curve of the kyu-gunto tsuka. It is ugly IMHO, but an interesting quirk of the Meiji-Taisho period. I don't know if it can be corrected (should a collector want to remount in koshirae.

Maybe you should file that pic in the Military Sword page Brian as an educational guide to uchi-zori?

Thanks Stephen,

[Johnny Barracuda]

Thanks George for the enlightening contribution. I had noticed the unusual shape of the nakago, but knew nothing about it.

 

edit: the price just jumped up. Nearly doubled. Sorry for you Ham.

[lonely panet]

grrrrrrr, the Aussie Doller is killing me.

 

its goning to be a expensive WAK mount Kyu gunto