Gunto mei

[Surfson]

Took a chance on a 27" gunto and it has this mei.  Second character is Naga.   Any clue as to the first character?   Cheers, Bob

[Ray Singer]

國永 - Kuninaga

 

The first kanji is expressing a different form of 國.

[Surfson]

Thanks Ray!!!   I would have never guessed that and finding it in the cursive book would be hard too.  

[PNSSHOGUN]

国永 (Kuninaga)福田 永太郎 - a Seki Kaji Tosho. Looks to be a stainless steel sword, is it in Kai Gunto mounts?

 

 

[Surfson]

It is in shingunto mounts.  The blade is quite bright and in excellent condition.  Were these swords hand forged?   It seems to have a fine hada but visible.  

[Bruce Pennington]

Stainless steel blades have been found in army fittings.  I've never read how the stainless blades were made.

[Surfson]

Are there folks out there that collect these?   I am willing to part with it.  

[PNSSHOGUN]

Depends on the mounts, stainless blades in original army mounts are somewhat unusual.

[Surfson]

It is in shingunto mounts in fair condition.  The tsuka has a little unraveling of the ito, but the menuki are still there.  The tsuba is unpierced.  The saya has a little oxidation and one dent in it.  I think it could be cleaned up with a little effort.   By far the best part of it is the blade, which is in a beautiful state of polish and the original polish was very good.  There are a few scrapes on it, maybe from the saya, but no rust or even dark spots.  I would be happy if people could tell me a fair market value for these swords and then I can list it in the for sale section or sell it to somebody that inquires about it.  I will take some photos this week in preparation for that.   I collect before Meiji and lately before muromachi.