paul griff

Hello Adam, It’s a reproduction…Colour is too dark,round bullion above tassel too big ,the material is too thick and the sliding barrel is probably off another different shade reproduction knot.. Regards, Paul.

Hello George, It’s a “Frankenstein “ made out of different gunto parts…..It’s not all fake but not really worth much either and a bad sword to start any collection.. Regards, Paul..

Hello, Both fakes I’m afraid….The type 95 has poor detail to the hilt most noticeable in the small dots that copy a ray skin effect , arsenal stamps on the fuchi poorly stamped distorting the metal ,the saya ( scabbard ) looks recently made and the number on the blade should not start with a zero.. The type 94 Officers sword again has poor definition when compared to an original type 94 which really do have quality fittings…Tsuba is the wrong type of metal and is poorly cast,washers ( septa’s ) are again the wrong material and poorly finished with too many numbers of the wrong font , hilt binding is a rough material , the menuki looks wrong and the sarute ( sword knot ) loop is the wrong design….The blade nakago ( tang ) is lacking file marks and the kanji ( letters / characters ) look like they are have been done with a dremel type tool..Saya looks too new… Regards, Paul

Hello John, Yes, the drag is extended….A lot of nice touches to this sword my photo’s do it no justice.. Regards, Paul..

Hello Mike, Here is one,type 98 ,custom mounts,long nakago and a lovely blade signed Tada Yoshi ( gimei )… Regards, Paul..

Hello, It’s a genuine sword that has just been overcleaned and overpainted with a modern reproduction knot from the London uniform company… Paul..

Hello Brian, 100% fake….Very crude moulding to the tsuka,the detail is awful especially the wobbly join line plus the securing screw and sarute fitting is modern brass by the look…that bohi is also dreadful…..One for the scrap pile I’m afraid…. Best Regards, Paul

Hello Tom, I have only seen one other Gunto painted white , a first model nco with the copper hilt....That paint had also turned to ivory and appeared to be oil based.....The sword was 100% original and I still kick myself for not buying it ! I have no doubt it was period done and probably for Manchuria... Regards, Paul...

Hello, Stephen got it first time....modern fake ......not the worse but pretty bad ! Regards, Paul..

Hello, Just picked this one up locally…..Nice dark patina to the Saya which I believe to be period….Sword had those specks of early oil based paint splashed on it when it had been mounted on a living room wall, blade was covered with a really nasty sticky grease….Sword has all the pointers of being well used i.e razor sharp with sharpening marks and plenty nicks and scars towards the kissaki and interesting repair to kuchi-gane.. Regards, Paul..

Hello all, Thank’s to everyone for the information and to Dale for pointing out my error ( two feet tsuba ! )..ha,ha Regards, Paul.

Hello all, I recently acquired a tired old wakizashi because the tsuba looked interesting and would appreciate any information any members could provide i.e age ,signature etc…….The tsuba is 70mm in diameter with a blade cutout of30mm.. Regards, Paul..

Hello Markus, It’s a fake 100%..... Regards, Paul..

Many thanks for that Ray,much appreciated... Paul...

Hello, Appreciate a translation of the attached... Regards, Paul...

Hello Stephen, Crowns don’t that tightly knit and material looks very bright so will hold on to my instinct and still say reproduction.....thanks for getting me thinking again... Regards, Paul...

Hello, As Bruce points out ,tassel is a reproduction and saya looks to be have been repainted but still a very nice sword.. Regards, Paul.

Hello Stephen, Without seeing the crowns I would say a very well made silk reproduction.....Only my opinion and not a tassel expert just a collector.. Regards, Paul...

Hello Geoff, As Chris pointed out it’s a fake...100%...all of it is fake ! Regards, Paul..

Hello Tony, Good luck...Unprofessional and ignorant fools have infiltrated the system everywhere and as Stephen highlighted the two police officers are the epitome of unprofessionalism... Regards, Paul...

Hello Erwin, Well done,Very nice all round package and good photo’s.... Regards, Paul..

Hello, Yes,thanks for sharing.....Can’t expect to get paperwork with all war trophies...most have mine have oral history from veterans family etc.........Quality package like that from respected dealer...good enough for me... Regards, Paul...

Hello Bruce, I remember this topic from the past......I talked to a veteran many years ago who painted his nco gunto silver ,luckily his son managed to get off with acetone without damaging the remaining paint...I know have the sword......also, many years ago I turned down a white painted copper hilt nco only to find out it was 100% and probably painted for winter use... Regards, Paul.

Hello JP, Best Regards to you ,your family and pets....keep going ,seldom are things easy that are worthwhile but you will get there... kind Regards, Paul....