Information On Gunto Tsuba

[IJASWORDS]

I have only seen one other example of this gunto tsuba set. I have now found one on a pre-WW2 blade. There is no hole for a a securing snap tab, and equally no corresponding stud on the saya. 

Any help indicating the history and use of these tsuba would be appreciated. 

[David Flynn]

Hi Neil, it looks like a Tachi Tsuba to me.

[ChrisW]

I would agree. I saw one VERY similar on a tachi last night on eBay.

[IJASWORDS]

I am familiar with the tachi tsuba, but is it common on a gunto, especially with an o-seppa and small seppa.  

[Bruce Pennington]

Neil,

 

I'd say tachi and other "civilian" tsuba are commonly seen, but this particular design seems rare.

[Dave R]

 Would it be possible to see the whole sword, and it's saya?

[IJASWORDS]

Hey Dave, here it is. Any ideas on the blades age from its shape and nakago? It is mumei.    

[vajo]

Looks like gold plated copper on the picture. Its a tachi tsuba. I vote for Meiji period.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Sword looks Shin Shinto?

[David Flynn]

I think it's brass and Showa. The blade looks to be Shinto, or even older.  Going by the Nakago, it could be Mino.

[IJASWORDS]

Its definitely brass and hopefully Showa. 

[Bruce Pennington]

Interesting find by Nick Komiya at Warrelics:

Don’t know if it explains or adds to rigs like this, but it might!

 

“Here are two secret ordinances released in succession in May and June of 1945 that allowed Army NCOs to carry their personal family swords as Gunto instead of the Type 95. At first, this option was limited to senior NCOs only (those entitled to swords), but in June, this limitation was dropped to allow all NCOs (except those required to carry firearms).

 

This option was conditional to the family sword suitably resembling the regulation gunto specs and further subject to the approval of the unit commander.

 

Note that these regulations presume the market availability of conversion kits that switch traditional Samurai swords to match Gunto specs, which explain the derivative components often explained away as Gunzoku specs.”

 

http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/Japanese-militaria/short-development-history-type-95-gunto-676112-7/

[vajo]

Meiji Tachi sold by Zacke Auction.

 

 

Here is another meiji Tachi sold for 7500 Dollar.

 

 

Momoyama Period Tachi

 

 

That one looks very similar to yours Neil.