bwanapete Posted September 4, 2018 Report Posted September 4, 2018 Could anyone please help with some information on this sword? It was sold me by an older gentleman who said it was a genuine Japanese made sword. I'm just trying to find out if it is and cannot make any headway with my online research other than it may fit into the 2nd WW period. many thanks in advance for any help Pete Quote
Geraint Posted September 4, 2018 Report Posted September 4, 2018 Dear Pete. I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news but this is not a Japanese sword. It is a recent fake. If you can remove the habaki or blade collar and give us a short of the area there that will confirm this opinion. All the best. Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted September 4, 2018 Report Posted September 4, 2018 I'd like to hear from the guys that can translate mei - is this a real smith's name? Geraint, I'd also like to see both sides of the tang (nakago) without the brass collar (habaki). The fittings look legit to me, as does the scabbard (saya). It is missing a leather cover that would have been on it. The blade metalugy looks pretty bad, which lends to a fakery idea, as does the end of the tang. It's a tough one, in my book. Quote
Stephen Posted September 4, 2018 Report Posted September 4, 2018 Problem is Bruce it looks like it was added last month. last one is roku first?? aki? Quote
bwanapete Posted September 4, 2018 Author Report Posted September 4, 2018 Dear Pete. I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news but this is not a Japanese sword. It is a recent fake. If you can remove the habaki or blade collar and give us a short of the area there that will confirm this opinion. All the best. Many Thanks, how would I remove the blade collar, it seems stuck fast? Quote
bwanapete Posted September 5, 2018 Author Report Posted September 5, 2018 I managed to get some more photos after removing the collar - Many thanks Quote
Peter Bleed Posted September 5, 2018 Report Posted September 5, 2018 Golly, this does not look like recent Chinese production to me. Looks much for like Mino manufacturing. Hey, there was a War on. Peter 2 Quote
hxv Posted September 5, 2018 Report Posted September 5, 2018 Golly, this does not look like recent Chinese production to me. Looks much for like Mino manufacturing. Hey, there was a War on. Peter I am with Peter on this one. Blade looks legitimate, but perhaps oil quenched, and mei was added recently? The mei doesn’t look chiseled. Tsukamaki looks right. Hoanh 1 Quote
Geraint Posted September 5, 2018 Report Posted September 5, 2018 Dear All. I have to agree with you about the blade and fittings but still worry about the metallurgy as someone called it and the mei. So perhaps we have an added mei? Pete, this is getting better, at least it is now looking like a Japanese blade and mounts. All the best. 3 Quote
PNSSHOGUN Posted September 5, 2018 Report Posted September 5, 2018 Legitimate Gunto, not legit Mei. 2 Quote
bwanapete Posted September 6, 2018 Author Report Posted September 6, 2018 Dear All, I cannot express my thanks enough for your help and advice - I am truly fascinated with how you guys pointed out the different identifiers! May I then assume that this is more than likely a Japanese sword from the war era in not so good condition - date and maker unknown - with a signature that seems to have been added at a later date. Is there any way of knowing if it was hand forged or machine made? My sincerest thanks again for all your help. Pete Quote
Jon MB Posted September 6, 2018 Report Posted September 6, 2018 People love to call 'fake'. I don't know why. There is no doubt whatsoever the blade is not new. This was apparent from the first couple of pics. Patina & wear speak for themselves. Quote
Jon MB Posted September 6, 2018 Report Posted September 6, 2018 I would also argue legit mei. Ugly, but period applied. Quote
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