Shin-Gunto With old Wakizashi Blade

[Edward G]

Good afternoon all:

 

I recently acauired this old Wakizashi with a Koi-toshi Hi.  The pictures attached are as I recieved the bladeout of the Veteran Estate so not a prefect condition specimen.  In any event, I would like to get some opinions as to how old the blade may be in age and possibly which school, den, or maker?  It is two hole tang, possibly surigae, and quite old from what my amatuer eyes see.  The Nagasa at present measures about 21 1/2 inches.  The nakago file marks are quite faint.  The Gunto Handle has a faded Lt Grade Tassel and also a Mon from Maeda Toshiiye  Family.  Any thought or opions would be deeply appreciated.

 

Edward G 

[Marcin]

Could You drop close-up of kabuto-gane?

Looks like T94. By centered chuso.

 

[SwordGuyJoe]

Impossible to say for sure from the photos, but my guess would be late koto based on the Sugata.  Not a ton to glean from the photos of the blade, but the perhaps late Bizen kazuuchimono - like some signed Bizen Osafune Sukesada.  Just a swag and worth every penny you paid for it!

[Edward G]

Certainly, not an expert but I do have a type 94 gunto for comparison.   This one though is different from most of my Guntos, it appears to be a smaller scale version of a Shin-Gunto sword.  The top sword is a Type 94 in picture 1 & 2.  I have enclosed more of the handle.

Hope this adds to the information

 

Edward G

[Bruce Pennington]

Nice custom fittings either way.

[Edward G]

Thank You Rawa, Sweet Guy Joe, and Bruce for all the comments.   I would welcome any further thoughts about the sword....  I think it is a great addition to my humble collection.  A friend told me that these type of smaller scale swords were crew swords for pilots, tank crews, etc.   Any comments on that subject?

 

Edward G

[PNSSHOGUN]

Nice looking sword, my immediate thought was also Sue Bizen from the Sugata and Nakago-jiri. It seems these short Gunto were not always for pilots, tank crews, submarines, hot air balloonists etc etc, and were simply made to the whims of the officer. In the thread below you can see many period photos showing full size swords being used by pilots and tank crews.

 

  

[Edward G]

Thank you John, always a pleasure to have you comment on my sword....

 

 

Edward G

[John C]

Ed:

One very slight addition in case you are doing research - the tassel is a company grade tassel so not only lieutenants, but also captains and warrant officers.

 

John C.

[Marcin]

19 hours ago, Edward G said:

Certainly, not an expert but I do have a type 94 gunto for comparison.   This one though is different from most of my Guntos, it appears to be a smaller scale version of a Shin-Gunto sword.  The top sword is a Type 94 in picture 1 & 2.  I have enclosed more of the handle.

Hope this adds to the information

 

Edward G

I was wishing for separate sarute barrel or pinned kabuto-gane.

So at least You gave excellent photo to show difference 94/98.

Tsuba is great and separate barrel at first longer blade.

Edited May 7 by Rawa

[2devnul]

On 5/6/2026 at 8:00 PM, SwordGuyJoe said:

late koto based on the Sugata.  Not a ton to glean from the photos of the blade, but the perhaps late Bizen kazuuchimono

 

On 5/7/2026 at 2:08 AM, PNSSHOGUN said:

Sue Bizen from the Sugata and Nakago-jiri.

 

That was my exact feeling when I saw the sword. Late Koto/early Edo Sue-Bizen. Reminds me the one I have. 

I'm not a Gunto fan so won't comment on fittings. Sword in the other hand is very nice. Sugata, Bohi, Nagasa are my type of Wakizashi. Not a fancy Hamon but Hada looks nice. 

 

Please work on that rust spot near the Kissaki when you can. 

[Edward G]

PNSSHOGUN:

Thank you for your comments and reminding me to work on rust spot.   Already attended to.

 

Thanks again for your information.

 

Edward G.