Central Chuso

[Bryce]

G'day Guys,

I was thinking today about the differences between type 94 and 98 shin gunto. Most type 94's I have seen have a centrally located chuso, while type 98's have an offset one. Do you ever find type 98's with the central chuso?

Cheers,

Bryce

 

[Bruce Pennington]

I have never taken note of that.  Ohmura's examples all 3 have centered chuso, like you say.

 

The guy to say would be @PNSSHOGUN of course!

[PNSSHOGUN]

Both variations exist for Type 94 and Type 98, even Type 98 with solid Tsuba. Will get some examples soon. 

[IJASWORDS]

A center CHUSO on a late model '98. Has even got celluloid SAME.

[lonely panet]

i was of the opinion that is was strickly a placment picked by the manufacturer and has no real effect of model or use

[Bruce Pennington]

Enjoying the discussion, keep the examples coming!

[Bryce]

Thanks guys,

So no hard and fast rules. How about we do a survey?

In my small collection I have 2 * 94's , both with central chusos and 4 * 98's , all with offset chusos.

Cheers,

Bryce

[Bruce Pennington]

Well,

My light-weight, chromed gunto, no date, has only 1 haikan (ashi), but I do not know whether it's a 94 or 98, has a centered chuso

 

 

And my 1941, most likely 98 fittings, Mantetsu has an off-set chuso:

[PNSSHOGUN]

Type 94 with offset Chuso and Type 98 with central Chuso. 

[16k]

I also have a 98 with a central chuso.

[Bryce]

G'day Guys,

So far I have done a random survey of 83 gunto on the internet where the photos are clear enough to determine type and chuso and the results are that 95% of type 94's have a central chuso and 90% of type 98's have an offset chuso. Not definitive by a long way, but there is certainly a strong trend.

Cheers,

Bryce

[Bruce Pennington]

Bryce,

Welcome to the Data Collection Club!  It's a great way to expand our understanding of the Japanese Gunto.

 

Interesting finding.  I know from one of Nick Komiya's discussions of kyugunto fittings that they did specify a movement/change of locking clips due to rain getting into the saya.  So, it is possible there was a shift in location for the 94/98, like you are seeing.  Of course, the sample is extremely small, so always keep an open mind, but maybe you've spotted in interesting development in the gunto.