Kai Gunto

[Kanenaga]

Hope I'm not violating a board policy.  This is just a heads-up that I've listed a kai-gunto in the "for sale' section.

 

Les

[IJASWORDS]

I won't make a comment on the for sale section, but as you mentioned it here I will. 

It is not a WW2 Kai Gunto, but a post war put together as a souvenir, usually sold as souvenirs to the occupation troops in Japan.  

Value..... USD 1000-1200 on a good day. It's only of interest as a souvenir of the period, not  Nihonto or Military. 

 

[vajo]

Les, its a souvenir sword which was made after the war. 300 - 400 Dollar.

[Bruce Pennington]

Neil and Chris are correct.  These were contracted by the 8th Army PX from the Tenshozan Factory of the Toyokawa Navy Arsenal AFTER the war (1946), and sold as souvenirs.  You can read about them in this article just published in the Japanese Sword Society of the U.S. newsletter.  I'm attaching the article.  Current market prices are in the $400 range (I paid $450 for mine!)

The Mysterious Naval Landing Forces Sword.pdf

[PNSSHOGUN]

They use original blades and parts but cannot be considered true Gunto. Interesting enough to many collectors for the right price. 

[Dave R]

3 hours ago, PNSSHOGUN said:

They use original blades and parts but cannot be considered true Gunto. Interesting enough to many collectors for the right price. 

 

I quite fancy one myself, or just the blade even.... 

[Kanenaga]

Thanks to all for the education.

Great to have so many knowledgeable people on this board.

[vajo]

As only 8.000 of this sword where made you should hold it. I don't know how many of these swords exists today. So this sword will allways find a new home when you want to sell it. It marks the end of cruel time.

In some decades it will be antique with a reportet history. Not bad for a souvenier sword.

[IJASWORDS]

When I first started collecting, my first Kai Gunto was one of these. Back then, there was a belief that they were late war Navy using up fittings (some army). Then, because of the anchor stamped blade, and army fittings, the theory of Marines or Naval Landing Force sword came about. 

Even sword books of the time had conflicting views. 

Thankfully Bruce's work clarified their origin. 

So Les, it's a sword that had interesting origins, and worth hanging on to.

I agree with Chris, I am keeping mine as a souvenir of immediate post war Japan. 

[BANGBANGSAN]

On 10/9/2020 at 1:28 PM, Bruce Pennington said:

Neil and Chris are correct.  These were contracted by the 8th Army PX from the Tenshozan Factory of the Toyokawa Navy Arsenal AFTER the war (1946), and sold as souvenirs.  You can read about them in this article just published in the Japanese Sword Society of the U.S. newsletter.  I'm attaching the article.  Current market prices are in the $400 range (I paid $450 for mine!)

The Mysterious Naval Landing Forces Sword.pdf 1.91 MB · 26 downloads

Hi Bruce

Did you start the OP about PX sword?I can't find it now...

[Bruce Pennington]

Here it is Trystan.  At the time I started it, most people were calling them Navy landing forces sword.

 

https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/22400-nlf-gunto-discussion/?tab=comments#comment-227100

[BANGBANGSAN]

1 hour ago, Bruce Pennington said:

Here it is Trystan.  At the time I started it, most people were calling them Navy landing forces sword.

 

https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/22400-nlf-gunto-discussion/?tab=comments#comment-227100

Thanks Bruce!