csymmes

As you can see from the first picture above, it is in need of cleaning. I'm thinking of using a soft toothbrush (dipped in alcohol 98% or above) to help clean. Any disagreements on this method? - Cowles

More photos of fittings on Tosogu board ("Help w/ Tsuba, Menuki & Fuchi"). Thanks - Cowles

Any ideas as to period and/or whether this was shortened at some point (Nagasa 25")? I recently purchased from a person who said it was brought back after WWII and has been in attic for 20+ yrs. Any ideas as to value (incl. fittings)? Thanks - Cowles

Just acquired from a neighbor whose husband was a WWII vet (been in the attic for 20+ yrs). I've done more research on guntos, so this is a new piece to my collection. Although it needs to be cleaned up, tsuba appears to be iron and looks to have good detail w/ wind and water elements and samurai in armor, but the hand, head and chest are flattened for some reason. The menuki appear to be a riderless horse on one side and a horse with rider on the other. The fuchi has a leather cover and a cloud face blowing wind. Any information is greatly appreciated!! - Cowles

Following with Ted, I've found this on my shin-gunto. While not a stamp, maybe relevant. -Cowles

Just got back from the Antique Roadshow. Only came away with an appraisal, no additional information other than it appeared to be an older blade. Said the Shin-gunto (I've got going on the military board) was worth $800-1200 and the Kai-gunto was $3000-4000. No tv clips, so I lost out to the dolls and spoons! -Cowles

Thank you all for your comments. Just returned from the Antique Roadshow. There were 2 militaria appraisers, one said he didn't do swords while the other looked at it for 20 seconds and said it was worth $800-1200. Didn't look at the tang or anything. He said the Kai-Gunto (which I have photos on the Nihonto discussion board) was $3000-4000, but provided nothing more. Don't know if that is an accurate appraisal or not, but was a little disappointed. -Cowles

Thanks for your comments Keith. Yes, I am a newbie, but I've seen some nice blades in gunto mounts. Trust me, I don't need tip toeing and if it were a piece of junk, someone would have said so already. Quite frankly, I would want to know myself. But you bring up a good point, the blade does need a polish, as I've never cleaned it before (been worried about doing something wrong). How does a newbie determine whether it is worthy of a new polish and where would one go (in the South) to have it done? I know the expense could outweight the value of the sword, so is there only one type of polish or would the suggestion be to get a window in order to see what you really have? All comments welcomed, even those without the TP! - Cowles

More photos. Still learning how to use my Nikon D5000 and having trouble with the automatic zoom for close-ups, but wanted to provide a couple other shots. Any information on the tassels will be helpful. I know there are 2 different ones, and do not know why as it came that way when purchased. Thanks - Cowles

Thanks Morita! Do you know if he signs Kondo Tsutomu Do you have any idea of value of his work or does it vary depending on the work? I'm still working on the other photos. Can't seem to get a good close up with enough lighting. -Cowles

Thanks Brian. I'm planning to take new pictures this weekend and will post on this same running message. Hopefully, someone will be able to shed some additional light. Cowles

I know the photo doesn't help much, but they don't appear to be embedded burrs on the habaki like the example George provided. They appear to be small beads. I don't know if that makes a difference or not. Any idea from looking at my poor photos as to whether it is silver or not? - CS

Morita, I only know a little about Kondo Akikuni and would love to know more, if anyone has information. What little I know is from various internet searches stating that he was of the Miyairi School and was appointed Rikugun Jumei Tosho and received prime ministers prize and Excellence prize (I've tried to locate more information on this but have found nothing). As with all "newer" smiths, he is listed as Hawley #8, AKI47/48. That is all I know. The translation was given to me by Kim Jinsoo, who said the smith was named Kondo Akikuni who lived in Tosa of Tokyo (mei on one side says "Oite Tokyo Tosa Akikuni Tsukuru Kore" and the other side is the date (February 1941) "Kigen Nisen Rokuhyaku Ichinen Kichijitsu"). I've got a new camera and will post better photos soon (along with a Kai-gunto which I'm trying to get information going on the Nihonto general board as well), but here are some additional ones for everyones viewing pleasure. IMHO, I like the rain reference better than the cat scratches. Thank you all for your comments and information. - CS

Grey, just got a new camera so I'm planning to take new pictures. Any suggestions as to what I should use for a background that will rely enhance the shots? Also, what particular areas do I need to get good shots of to better help? Stephen, I hope I make the "cut". Would be sad to lose out to a doll or silver spoon! If so, I will definitely post a clip so all can poke fun at the accent! Thanks.

Thanks Grey. Here are some more photos. I added the last one of my great-grandfather which was in the local paper (wanted to know what people were bringing to the roadshow). Enjoy.