manufacturing standards of kyu guntos

[kleber75]

.Hello, I have a question about the production of the Kyu Gunto. Was it a standardized process, or were the scabbards custom-made to fit the blades? I have two Kyu Gunto scabbards here that are the same length, but not the same width and thickness. They weigh 400 grams and 450 grams respectively, and are 70 cm long

 

 

 

[kleber75]

....the smaller scabbard came with this ( original? )handle which was part of a deal to get the gunto shown in the last two pictures. Sometimes you have to bite the bullet....

 

 

Edited April 1 by kleber75

[Bruce Pennington]

I don't think I've ever seen the mil specs on these for production.  The reference books show a LOT of variation in them, and observed kyu pretty much back that up.  There were a number of factories producing them over a few decades and each one seemed to have their own small differences.

@Kiipu @lonely panet might know more, as well as others.  Let's see what they say.

[kleber75]

Ist the handle original? I have never seen one completely without floral ornaments.

 

The problem that arises is that not all blades fit into this sword scabbard, at least not the blade of my kyu gunto. Does this mean that there were also different blade sizes?

Edited April 1 by kleber75

[Conway]

 

4 hours ago, kleber75 said:

Ist the handle original? I have never seen one completely without floral ornaments.

 

Jens, 

 

The sword in the first photo is a Type 8, not a Type 19. That’s why the guard and handle backstrap are devoid of the floral motifs. Do you have a copy of Swords of Imperial Japan 1868-1945 Cyclopedia Edition by Jim Dawson? This book would be your best guide to identifying Meiji period Japanese military swords. 

[kleber75]

Sorry, I do not have this Book, because swords are only a small part of my interest which is mainly  in uniforms and equipment of the Taisho era.

 

I hadn't expected to get a Meiji-era hilt, as I was actually focused on the other sword—and I had to buy the rest as well: it was all or nothing... And I hope I don't now have to start collecting Meiji uniforms too  

 

...and the questionable scabbard with handle is displayed  now  together with a Taisho uniform. You do not see very much of them. 

This also overcomes the problem of finding a suitable blade that fits into the scabbard – provided the scabbard is original....

 

Edited April 2 by kleber75

[PNSSHOGUN]

The only vaguely standardised Kyu Gunto would be the arsenal blades, though even those had variations between makers and could be customised for length.

[kleber75]

Length is one thing, but in this case, it's more the width of the blade that matters. My other Kyu Gunto blade, for example, gets stuck halfway in the aforementioned sheath.

 

I'm off for my Easter break.

 

Happy Easter to you all!