DanK Posted March 20, 2024 Report Posted March 20, 2024 Hi Everyone, I was offered these swords for purchase and would love some comments or critique of them. Not sure about the short sword but they are asking 1100 each for the other 2. Any help would be much appreciated and I'm sorry about the pics, they are all I got Quote
Conway S Posted March 20, 2024 Report Posted March 20, 2024 Dan, The sword next to the leather covered one is a "souvenir sword" made for US Soldiers stationed in post-war Japan. These came with a mix of Army and Navy style components. One give away is the Army style haiken or belt hanger on the scabbard and the Navy style tsuba. See the discussion of these here: The one in the last photo is a WW2 Kai Gunto (Navy sword). More pictures of the blade and tang would be needed to be sure, but it is most likely a wartime produced stainless steel blade as opposed to a traditionally made Japanese sword. The fittings are of average quality given the wood lacquered scabbard. Nicer ones are covered in ray/shark skin. If you look carefully you can definitely find good condition souvenir swords for less than $1100 on eBay and at militaria shows. $1100 for the other kai gunto is not necessarily a bad price, but if you only have those photos to go on maybe hold off. What are your collecting goals? Conway 2 Quote
ROKUJURO Posted March 20, 2024 Report Posted March 20, 2024 Dan, if you want help from the experts here, they would need - pictures of the NAKAGO (tip pointing upwards) and of the naked blade - taken directly from above - with light from the side - well focused - against a dark background to get a good contrast and presented as cut-out Quote
DanK Posted March 20, 2024 Author Report Posted March 20, 2024 1 hour ago, Conway S said: Dan, The sword next to the leather covered one is a "souvenir sword" made for US Soldiers stationed in post-war Japan. These came with a mix of Army and Navy style components. One give away is the Army style haiken or belt hanger on the scabbard and the Navy style tsuba. See the discussion of these here: The one in the last photo is a WW2 Kai Gunto (Navy sword). More pictures of the blade and tang would be needed to be sure, but it is most likely a wartime produced stainless steel blade as opposed to a traditionally made Japanese sword. The fittings are of average quality given the wood lacquered scabbard. Nicer ones are covered in ray/shark skin. If you look carefully you can definitely find good condition souvenir swords for less than $1100 on eBay and at militaria shows. $1100 for the other kai gunto is not necessarily a bad price, but if you only have those photos to go on maybe hold off. What are your collecting goals? I thought the souvenir sword looked a little funny. I'm looking to get a nice traditional sword that is signed and eventually maybe pick up shin gunto as well. I'm gonna take a look at the kai gunto, and maybe get some more pics. One more question. Should the scabbard on the kai gunto have 2 hangers? Thanks Quote
DanK Posted March 20, 2024 Author Report Posted March 20, 2024 1 hour ago, ROKUJURO said: Dan, if you want help from the experts here, they would need - pictures of the NAKAGO (tip pointing upwards) and of the naked blade - taken directly from above - with light from the side - well focused - against a dark background to get a good contrast and presented as cut-out I appreciate the helpful info. Unfortunately these are the only pics they sent me. Thanks Quote
John C Posted March 20, 2024 Report Posted March 20, 2024 Looks like someone put a kai gunto tsuka on the souvenir (navy kabutogane and menuki) but the rest is souvenir. Not sure about the two hangers on the kai gunto, however the one shown is navy. Tsuka and seppa/tsuba look legit as well. If the blade is legit, 1100 would be a fair price for it. John C. Quote
DanK Posted March 20, 2024 Author Report Posted March 20, 2024 8 hours ago, John C said: Looks like someone put a kai gunto tsuka on the souvenir (navy kabutogane and menuki) but the rest is souvenir. Not sure about the two hangers on the kai gunto, however the one shown is navy. Tsuka and seppa/tsuba look legit as well. If the blade is legit, 1100 would be a fair price for it. John C. Thanks John. I appreciate your time and knowledge Quote
DanK Posted March 20, 2024 Author Report Posted March 20, 2024 2 hours ago, PNSSHOGUN said: Save your money. That's why I come here. Thanks! Quote
Bruce Pennington Posted March 20, 2024 Report Posted March 20, 2024 Hi Dan, I'd hate to bother the seller if you aren't going to buy, but maybe you could approach him with the idea that the sword experts you are talking with are requesting photos of the nakago of both swords? I would really appreciate them for the files. I have 5 other souvenir with the all-Navy tsuka and Army saya, so it's not uncommon. The kaigunto on the wooden table is likely a late-war kaigunto. I have seen many of these. Souvenirs, when identified properly normally sell around $450. Quote
DanK Posted March 20, 2024 Author Report Posted March 20, 2024 34 minutes ago, Bruce Pennington said: Hi Dan, I'd hate to bother the seller if you aren't going to buy, but maybe you could approach him with the idea that the sword experts you are talking with are requesting photos of the nakago of both swords? I would really appreciate them for the files. I have 5 other souvenir with the all-Navy tsuka and Army saya, so it's not uncommon. The kaigunto on the wooden table is likely a late-war kaigunto. I have seen many of these. Souvenirs, when identified properly normally sell around $450. Thanks Bruce, I will reach out and see if he is willing to send me some pics. If so, I will post them. 1 Quote
Nicholas Posted March 20, 2024 Report Posted March 20, 2024 I actually bought the Kai gunto on eBay a while back minutes after it was posted for 550$. Paid right away, then 2 hours later seller cancelled my order and refunded my money. When I messaged him to find out what’s going on he told me the sword was sold the day before it was listed. I figured it was a BS story. 1 Quote
DanK Posted March 20, 2024 Author Report Posted March 20, 2024 Wow! That's crazy. Either he's a scammer or he found out it was worth more than he sold it for. He supposedly is going to send me more pics of the blade but I think I will just stay away from it. Thanks for reaching out. Quote
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