WW2 Katana identification

[Drew]

I was told it was an old blade put into military WW2 mounts.  I'm curious if anyone knows what the markings on the blade mean or that number on the handle.   Anything you can tell me of its history or likely origins would be of interest.   

[Geraint]

Dear Drew.

 

 

Yep, that sure is an old blade!  Made maybe more than a week ago in China!

 

Run.  Run and hide.

Edit to add:  Drew, it occurs to me that you might already have bought this, in which case if you would like some of the pointers as to why it is a recent fake then do please ask.

 

All the best.

[Drew]

I actually didn't buy it.  Someone gave it to me as a gift for my 15 year old son so no hurt feelings here.  I would very much like the pointers as to why it a recent fake if you have time to share.   

[ckaiserca]

The number one tip-off before I even saw the blade was the tsuka-ito. The wrap pattern on a proper tsuka-ito always alternates. This one is always wrapped in the same direction. The number two tip-off is the serial number on the habaki and the "kanji" on the blade itself. The number three tip-off is the super prominent grain pattern on the blade. The number four tip-off is the shape of the kissaki (point of the blade).

[Geraint]

Dear Drew.

 

That's a relief.  So, tsuka/hilt out of proportion with the sword, fittings are poor quality and have sloppy gilding over silver which is not seen, habaki/blade collar has a stamped number, something only seen on a particular type of NCO sword, also the habaki is poorly shaped, hilt binding only overlaps in one direction whereas it should alternate, also the knot to finish the binding near the kabutogane is wrong. scabbard has two suspension mounts, sometimes encountered but very unusual for a Shingunto, blade geometry is poor, particularly the very ugly kissaki/point which should be well shaped and have clear lines, metal is a badly pattern welded job with acid etching to reveal.

 

Here is a fairly standard Shingunto to compare, http://www.firearmsc...th=59&product_id=226  There are many others available and if the bug has bitten then some reading here will be of interest.  http://ohmura-study.net/906.html  I've linked to the page which details mounts so that comparisons are easy but there is a whole host more.

 

Any questions directly related to military swords will get a better response if you post them in the Military Swords section of NMB.

 

Hoper some of that helps and welcome to NMB.

 

All the best.