An unsigned Gunto Katana

[KKCook]

Hello All,

I have come across a WW2 era Gunto Katana in a rare scabbard (according to a book I found) but the tang is unsigned. Was this common? Also the retaining pin hole appears to be punched instead of drilled. I've uploaded a few photos. Any insight would be very much appreciated.

Kevin

[Ray Singer]

As far as the blade being unsigned, that is not unusual and it appears the blade is a oil quenched showato arsenal blade (with togari-gunome hamon).

[KKCook]

Thank you, Ray. I already have one seki marked Shin Gunto with an oil quenched blade so I'm now looking for traditional water quenched example for my collection.

 

I believe the one pictured below is, and it is signed. 

[ROKUJURO]

Kevin,

the signatures are chiseled and read vertically blade-tip upwards, so orienting the images accordingly makes reading easier.

This one is possibly TANBA no KAMI FUJIWARA TERUKADO.

(Corrected following Jan's post)

[xiayang]

34 minutes ago, ROKUJURO said:

This one is possibly TANGO no KAMI FUJIWARA KANEKADO.

 

Minor correction: it's

丹波守藤原照門 = Tanba no Kami Fujiwara Terukado

[BANGBANGSAN]

Same sword-  実用新案登録第320020号 Registered Utility Model Registration No. 320020

[Bruce Pennington]

2 hours ago, BANGBANGSAN said:

Same sword

Thanks Trystan!  I've edited my post.

[KKCook]

Definitely appears to be the same sword.

Thank you for all of the info, I'm likely going to pass on both.