Ww2 Army Gunto Saya With Non-Army Handle?

[vfox]

Hello all,

 

I have seen some koshirae auctions on ebay recently which have a distinctly gunto saya, but a handle that does not seem army-issue at all (no cherry blossoms design, just generic fittings). They are sold as gunto.

 

I was wondering if it was typical for soldiers to use a non-army issue blade and handle with a military saya in WW2?

 

Or perhaps they are unrelated and put together by the seller?

 

Thanks,

Jay

[Shamsy]

Could be either. If you have any specific examples we could offer an opinion, but it may be just that. Can be hard to tell without getting a sword in hand.

[vfox]

Alright, I have attached some images of the guntos in question.

 

Specimen 1:

 

Specimen 2:

 

Specimen 3:

 

Thanks,

Jay

[Bruce Pennington]

Jay,

 

The fact that this blade was cut in two supports the probability that this was surrendered after the war. Thousands of blades were destroyed this way beacase they were war weapons. Very tragic.

 

I've seen several pictures of soldiers carrying old blades in combat saya. It was common. There was a serious shortage of officer swords and many private blades were donated to the war effort. Some were totally refitted with army or navy fittings, while others were simply put into combat saya. This looks legit.

[PNSSHOGUN]

I also believe many had the tsuka remounted for civilian Iai use.

[vfox]

Thank you for the information. It is unfortunate indeed, but still interesting to know.

 

Jay

[Nihonto Chicken]

The standards for gunto seem to have been rather lax, and many Pacific War swords were a mix of the military and traditional kodogu.  I have a nice shinto blade mounted in buke zukuri koshirae save the military leather wrap over the wood saya and the chromed steel hanger.  Good chance it was an in-family sword taken off to war.