paul griff

My wife said that It was nice to see a smile on my face...! These old swords have a kind of ' magic ' about them..I had previously asked my sons if they wanted a sword to display when they buy their own property....they both declined...when the youngest clamped his eyes on this one he changed his mind real fast ! Told the wife she will have to bury me with this one ( no doubt the boys will be around with shovels soon after though ! ).....Thanks for the reply both.. Regards, Paul..

Hello, I've been after one of these for a long time and finally found one at an arms fair recently. It was really dirty with speckles of that old type paint that was flicked onto it , removal must have been too time consuming because a bolt had been passed through a nicely tapped thread in the larger of the mekugi-ana to secure the sword to a wall ( I've removed the thread ) . The attached trophy slip was wrapped around the suspension ring on the saya and it's amazing how it lasted so long . Blade was filthy so for now have given it a sympathetic clean. Again just to say very pleased with this piece of history and just to show that they still are " out there ".. Regards, Paul..

Hello, I think there are a number of factors that have impacted on the "gunto " market. I used to pick up gunto,s that were brought home by veterans then put in the cupboard or attic out of sight and not proudly displayed. As these veterans have been fading away many swords found their way to second hand shops,car boot sales and house clearance people then eventually to collectors like ourselves. Inevitably and sadly this supply route is nearly at it's end...Then the Internet allowing global buying but with the added cost of commission and postage...All the local dealers that I talk to have seen their trade in swords disappear this way...In the U.K The Birmingham arms fair used to be fantastic for bargain Gunto's that were offered by some well respected dealers who took them in part exchange as collectors who have been " bitten by the bug " traded up.....sadly some of these dealers have past away prematurely and others for whatever reasons do not attend....Internet sales maybe ? = prices up.....And finally,and this again is in the U.K.when there is wind of new idiotic laws to be passed relating to weapons and normally after some idiot has committed an atrocity with that particular item people unload them cheap just in case their banned....all has been quiet here so at the moment there is no sword taboo... Regards, Paul.

Hello, I have been collecting gunto,s and comparing the blades for years and the mantetsu on my eyes is one of the finest cutting swords you can get.....and at the end of the day that's what it was designed for. They really are well made.....if for any reason I had to pick up one sword to actually use it would be the Mantetsu...agreed ancient swords have a kind of magic and are finely balanced and I don't think the mantetsu will ever achieve an art status but it's one hell of a tool...! I also have a Shinbu-to which is again a fascinating sword due to the blade construction...at normal temperature...That's cold and damp for Wales....! the blade feels soft and dull but when it is exposed to extremes of cold it hardens and exhibits the characteristics of a traditional sword. If anyone wants any info or details of either sword just let me know.. Regards, Paul..

Hello Bruce, I have been collecting Gunto's for years preferably ones with a bit of history but even I couldn't live with a gold one and I've just been offered an officers one painted in what looks like metallic gold car paint seen on 80's fords...! If it was an nco,s I'd probably take it and do the same as you...I've known for gold and silver painted gunto,s and also talked to the veterans who brought them back and thought it was a good idea at the time to paint them with paint from where they worked..That said - they had lived through death and destruction but were still teenagers when they brought them back...! In the U.K I do come across ' Frankenstein ' officers swords with badly painted saya but not that many nco's models...there was one at the Brecon arms fair a couple of months ago and someone did buy it.....so maybe not common but certainly not uncommon... Regards, Paul..

Hello Bruce, Nice paint job.When I've had to do similar work on a gunto I keep it in the living room and handle it as much as possible even take it to the garage when working on the car or chopping wood...the wife understands and kids don't take any notice anymore. That said it is not to deceive anyone but just to add a bit of patina.. Paul..

Hello Bruce, Tamiya models green acrylic paint on a dark undercoat is very close to the gunto green. I have used this in the past using a nice soft 1/2 inch brush to good effect...used to be able to get the spray cans in the same colour but I think they have discontinued them in the U.K....not sure about the U.S. ? Regards, Paul.

Hello again, Another nice quality shin-gunto signed by the 23rd generation of Kanefusa . Blade is housed in a nice lightweight saya the kuchi-gane has the patent stamp as found on page 33 of Military swords of Japan 1868-1945 by Fuller and Gregory. Tsuba has evidence of gilt still present . A very nice sword with a very ' balanced ' feel.. Regards, Paul..

Hello, Shin-gunto Gimei Tada Yoshi housed in a quality rayskin saya with nice ishizuke . Nice bronze tsuba with kitau type stamps and remaining gilt . Long nakago with what appears to be a field replacement leather sarute..Nice history with this sword.....surrendered to a British major who subsequently bequeathed it to the regimental museum who unfortunately had to sell it to raise funds.. Regards, Paul....

Hello George, I have attached some photo's of a shin-gunto with a celluloid same . The sword is by the Toyo Hamono knife Co Ltd ., An interesting example of maybe the last attempt to produce a sword for combat purpose. Shinbu - to , a cold bearable sword made using " Tahado " steel ( nickel chromium manganese steel ). It's a very well put together sword with nice quality fittings. Regards, Paul..

Hello Mark, It's good that contentious subjects arise on the board for in my case it gets me back in the books . And as Shamsy highlighted the fakers make good use of the information divulged . I have only been collecting shin-gunto for about twenty five years and find myself still learning but looking at the contributors to the post I would estimate hundreds of years of collecting experience and value their input. FAKE on all counts. Paul...

Hello Mark, It's a dreadful fake ,from the heavy patina finish to the hilt,the overspray onto the scabbard throat and the recently added file damage again to the throat. The list could go on and on but must admit they are getting better . Thanks to Thomas for alerting any potential buyers. Paul.

Hello, Thanks to everyone who replied.Although the mailing system is not straight forward I feel one hurdle has been overcome. The next one will be to work on sending older blades and still being able to insure them for the correct value. Regards, Paul.

Hello, This may be of use to anyone in the U.K thinking of posting a sword to the U.S. Recently posted a shingunto with a traditionally made blade dated 1943. Used Parcel Force Global priority 3 day delivery.Parcel weighed 2.25kg in a secure box with a letter attached to the outside with buyers name and address including telephone number,sellers name,address and telephone number,description of sword as collectible and of historical interest ,made before 1954 using traditional methods. Also price paid by buyer and the correct customs tariff number,in this case - 9307.00.00.00 Did not use the word antique ,if you use this word you have limited insurance cover and the conditions of carriage are vague and ambiguous.Insurance for sword of £850 cost an extra £33.30 . Total cost of shipping £91.55 and the sword arrived in 3 days. Regards, Paul.

Hello, Thank you for the prompt reply and information. I have seen a decline in the quality of the U.K,s postal service especially since privatisation so this may be the final "nail in the coffin" for me. The buyer would have to take all the risks and to be honest this doesn't sit well with me. Regards, Paul..

Hello, I would be most grateful if anyone has recent experience of posting swords from the U.K to the U.S recently, if so any advice would be appreciated. The sword is a shin gunto made to traditional methods in 1943 ( see wanted ads for shin gunto ). Regards, Paul.

Thanks for sharing a very interesting and useful study. Regards, Paul..

Hello Doug, Thank you for your input.Thats what I was after. Regards, Paul..

I will,Thank you. Regards, Paul.

Hello, More photo's. Paul

Hello, I would be grateful if the more experienced collectors out there could opinionate on the validity of the signature of the tanto in the attached photo's. It has taken me years to get my head around collecting shin-gunto and along comes a tanto.Bought in a local gun auction where nobody wanted it. Any comments on why you think it is or isn't gimei would be appreciated. Regards, Paul...

Thanks for the heads up Stephen, nearly missed this one ! Regards, Paul