98 Shin Gunto from Grandpa

[Basic_Platypuss4039]

My grandpa brought this back with him after fighting in the pacific and it’s been in our family since. I did some basic research and it seems like it’s an authentic 98 shin Gunto but I thought I’d share some photos here and see if there’s any more information that can be learned. 

[John C]

BP:

Is the blade signed/can we see the nakago?

The mounts looks as if they are either late war or have been reconditioned at some point. The metal fittings are somewhat rough cast, the ito wrap has been put through the tsuka (like a traditional samurai sword, though not military), and the tsuka skin seems to be celluloid. In addition, the leather is in decent condition. If untouched, this was probably carried very late in the war as it uses parts typically seen on late war swords. The tassel seems to be all brown, which are typically navy. Other possibilities are that is is after market or is the type used on Gunzoku swords. This may also explain the fittings. In any case, a look at the nakago will tell us more.

 

John C.

[Bruce Pennington]

Here is a video showing how the remove the handle (tsuka).  These blades were often signed and dated by the sword smiths.  The all-brown tassel was used by the civil branch of the military, called Gunzoku.  The wore military styled uniforms and performed many non-combat functions like maintenance, admin, etc.

 

 

[Basic_Platypuss4039]

3 hours ago, Bruce Pennington said:

Here is a video showing how the remove the handle (tsuka).  These blades were often signed and dated by the sword smiths.  The all-brown tassel was used by the civil branch of the military, called Gunzoku.  The wore military styled uniforms and performed many non-combat functions like maintenance, admin, etc.

 

 

 

I had read before that the army started issuing all brown tassels towards the end of the war. Is that a possibility? Thanks! 

 

 

[Bruce Pennington]

Hi BP.  First a forum technical note.  If you actually go by "BP", then never mind, but if that's not what you go by, please go to your profile page and add a first name.  It's NMB policy and we all like to talk to real people.  Thanks!

 

So, for decades the collecting community have held the all-brown tassel to be a late-war army tassel (Navy is all brown, but it's a richer, darker color and of course found on kaigunto).  Even the reference books call it that.  However, a couple years ago, a respected researcher found the 1943 Uniform Regulation Change that spoke of the brown tassel and said that it was assigned to the Gunzoku.  I asked Nick if the wording would have allowed that the tassel was already in use by the army, but was now also assigned to Gunzoku.  Nick answered that due to the wording, it would have been specific to just the Gunzoku.  That's all I can say.  If you would like to read his discussion, see this: The All Brown Army Tassel - Nick Komiya

[Basic_Platypuss4039]

53 minutes ago, Bruce Pennington said:

Hi BP.  First a forum technical note.  If you actually go by "BP", then never mind, but if that's not what you go by, please go to your profile page and add a first name.  It's NMB policy and we all like to talk to real people.  Thanks!

 

So, for decades the collecting community have held the all-brown tassel to be a late-war army tassel (Navy is all brown, but it's a richer, darker color and of course found on kaigunto).  Even the reference books call it that.  However, a couple years ago, a respected researcher found the 1943 Uniform Regulation Change that spoke of the brown tassel and said that it was assigned to the Gunzoku.  I asked Nick if the wording would have allowed that the tassel was already in use by the army, but was now also assigned to Gunzoku.  Nick answered that due to the wording, it would have been specific to just the Gunzoku.  That's all I can say.  If you would like to read his discussion, see this: The All Brown Army Tassel - Nick Komiya

Thanks for letting me know about the naming preference. Happy to make a change. I read through what you shared, thanks for that. So from what I can gather he got a sword from the civil division equivalent of an NCO and it was mass produced. Thank you for the information I suppose any other info to be gained would be from removing the handle part and looking at the metal to see if there’s any stamping or names placed. Thanks. 
 

Ted S.

Edited March 9 by Basic_Platypuss4039

[Bruce Pennington]

16 hours ago, Basic_Platypuss4039 said:

civil division equivalent of an NCO

Ted,

No way to know whether an officer or NCO equivalent.  Could have been either.