Genuine Shin Gunto?

[DragonK]

I wanted to get some opinions on this Shin Gunto. I think it would be a type 98. It is signed on one side of the tang but I don't see any arsenal marks. It does have two holes but only the lower one is used so I assume the blade was remounted. The guard is the cut out type and the guard and all of the seppas are marked with the number 1. The handle is ray skin. It has a family mon on one of the menukis. It has a black saya which I have not seen before. 

 

 

[Ray Singer]

The mei is Bizen (no) kuni Kiyonori. This mei indicates a smith of the Bizen Yoshii school, however the mei unfortunately does not have an authentic appearance. Regardless, the sword itself is an authentic, antique Japanese katana in shingunto army koshirae mounting for WWII.

[John C]

17 minutes ago, DragonK said:

I think it would be a type 98

Not a WW2 blade. POSSIBLY an older family blade.

 

John C.

[Bruce Pennington]

(Ah, Ray responded as I was typing - Thanks Ray!)

 

Hi Mike!

Yes, Type 98 officer sword (gunto).  The 8 seppa configuration is often associated with an upgraded set of fittings.  The blade seems like it's probably earlier that WWII.  Hopefully @Ray Singer or @SteveM can give you the smith's name.  If you want and ID on that family mon, post a clear shot of it here, or better on the Help Identify our Mon thread.

 

If the blade turns out to be older, and you want an appoximate age, post it on the Nihonto forum with the naked blade, and list these measurements:

 

You might post a couple close-up shots of the hamon (temper pattern) and blade tip.

[DragonK]

13 minutes ago, Ray Singer said:

The mei is Bizen (no) kuni Kiyonori. This mei indicates a smith of the Bizen Yoshii school, however the mei unfortunately does not have an authentic appearance. Regardless, the sword itself is an authentic, antique Japanese katana in shingunto army koshirae mounting for WWII.

So your thoughts would be an authentic blade with a gemei signature. I can live with that. 

[Ray Singer]

That is my impression, yes (gimei). 

[DragonK]

1 hour ago, Bruce Pennington said:

(Ah, Ray responded as I was typing - Thanks Ray!)

 

Hi Mike!

Yes, Type 98 officer sword (gunto).  The 8 seppa configuration is often associated with an upgraded set of fittings.  The blade seems like it's probably earlier that WWII.  Hopefully @Ray Singer or @SteveM can give you the smith's name.  If you want and ID on that family mon, post a clear shot of it here, or better on the Help Identify our Mon thread.

 

If the blade turns out to be older, and you want an appoximate age, post it on the Nihonto forum with the naked blade, and list these measurements:

 

You might post a couple close-up shots of the hamon (temper pattern) and blade tip.

Thank you. I will do both of those when I get off work today.