Ontario_Archaeology

There are a few shots in this video of "Airborne Commandos" with different gunto, some full size, some short. https://gyazo.com/ac85c4804d1ca9fc97fb399d55b00209

Thank-you for the responses. I was more curious than anything else what the hell it was! Matt

I have seen this auction come and go a few times and out of curiosity I have tried to look up more information but turned up nothing. Maybe someone with more knowledge here can fill me in https://www.ebay.com/itm/Japan-Antique-Edo-cannon-iron-katana-yoroi-Kabuto-tsuba-Armor-samurai-Busho/163772155659?hash=item262194c70b:g:vh4AAOSwKRpcxzo~ thanks, Matt

That is a great little Wak! The size variation is just amazing! Thanks, Matt

the only hope i had for that fact was that it was that was a type-o LOL

The mass amount of variation in the mounts and how un-uniform the gunto were make me think almost anything is possible. Here is the Ohmura page on the navy "crew" gunto http://ohmura-study.net/762.html

https://www.ebay.com/itm/SA323-Japanese-Samurai-Sword-IJN-Imperial-Navy-Kaigunto-Hideaki-66-0-CM/132963255903?hash=item1ef53a465f:g:REoAAOSwAClccLLF:rk:3:pf:1&frcectupt=true Signed: "Made with the steel from the gun barrel of the [battleship] Mikasa, by Hideaki" and on the reverse: "March 1930, Morishita Nobue, Captain of Battleship Yamato." I know we have debunked this seller a few times before, but this is just ridiculous . . . right?

If I remember correctly there was originally a blue/brown with this?

Interesting Bruce, That might explain the difference between this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/WWII-Japanese-NAVY-COMPANY-OFFICER-S-SWORD-TASSEL-katana-sword-gunto/323703723417?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649 and this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/WWII-Japanese-ARMY-OFFICER-SHIN-GUNTO-SWORD-TASSEL-ORIGINAL-LATE-WAR/312499194904?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908105057%26meid%3Dd1a53e4be90249e2a202e71b44506f0e%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D15%26sd%3D312499194904%26itm%3D312499194904&_trksid=p2481888.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3Af94c9211-3873-11e9-b979-74dbd180f652%7Cparentrq%3A2139e69e1690aca6f2e9427dfff20c99%7Ciid%3A1 the first one would be the army? and the second one navy?

I am looking to get a tassel to go with this. I should be looking for an all brown one, correct? As far as I know the navy only used the brown tassel? Thanks, Matt

another example, I think https://www.ebay.com/itm/4254-MODIFIED-SAMEKAWA-SABER-KOSHIRAE-HIGH-RANKING-OFFICER-MEIJI-PERIOD/223303591954?hash=item33fdee6812:g:6lgAAOSw8sBbyBJT

I saw that post too, I was tempted. It is a very nice Kai Gunto. Congratulations. I am glad it went to a member. Matt

to be honest, even if the story is fake, it is a decent example of a kai gunto. Matt

I saw that post too, Chris. The captain listed was not on the Nagato long, Hayakawa Mikio (1894-1945) 1943-8-2 Commander, BB Nagato 1943-11-1 Rear admiral 1943-12-15 Commander, Destroyer Squadron 2 1944-11-11 Vice admiral Killed in action Maybe he had a different sword made for every time he was transferred? Maybe the Nagato had a special place in his heart? Maybe its one big ebay scam. (I don't know if the mei actually says "Minamogawa Jinja Masatada" and on the reverse "1943, worn by Hayakawa Mikio, Captain of Battleship Nagato.") It just seems like a strange wording "worn by" instead of "made for" or something more fancy. Maybe it is a translation issue. Just throwing out some ideas. Matt

I hope you stick to collecting modern blades. If you truly believe there is nothing to be learned from history, you cannot appreciate it appropriately. Maybe CultofAthena is more up your alley. Edit: There is no "brightside" to destroying artifacts, unless it is to further the science, what Showa22 is doing is a waste. Matt

Luis, as an archaeologist, there is plenty to be gained from studying mass produced weapons. Probably more so than items produced on a lower scale. If we have documentation to go along with the artifacts we can put together a better picture what was going on during that period and figure out a more complete history of the time. By documenting and researching the period and topics now, while it is more recent, we are probably uncovering more information than if we started 100 years from now. You may think that there is nothing to be learned from past societies, but that is simply wrong. With the mixed up NCO, why destroy a perfectly fine artifact for profit? The OP clearly shows that it was a modern mix matching, which takes away a lot of the historic value, especially with ww2 collectors who often look for items that have not been changed since the period. With a mass produced item like the NCO, the value comes from how original it is, and the condition. I personally think that separating the "original" mountings from the blades we find them in is just as wrong as messing with the NCO. We know historically it was often done, but I see us more of curators of artifacts and changing out the mountings removes part of the history that we work to preserve. Matt

hopefully these are an improvement. I honestly had an impossible time getting a picture of the tip. Matt

oh okay, I will try to get better pictures of the blade next weekend! any pointers for better pictures. I tried using a bright light, but I don't think the pictures turned out as good as I initially thought. Matt

what do you mean? Matt

I notice that there are other threads on here about Crew Guntos and I believe that in order to move forward we will have to keep posting examples we come across as well as any historic documents / photos. Another thread discussing crew gunto is here. http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/18749-did-any-member-buy-this/ Matt

Thanks guys for the input, Bruce, that is where I got the term, from Ohmura 's page on Crew Guntos http://ohmura-study.net/977.html page on navy crew guntos http://ohmura-study.net/762.html page with pilots with wakis http://ohmura-study.net/761.html Matt

Another picture, might help for length Matt

52.5cm 2.9cm at the Ha. 1.9cm at Yakote Matt

Hi Bruce, Just what Stephan advertised it as, I assume it might have been used in a cockpit. The translation I got was Fujiwara Toyomasa https://nihontoclub.com/smiths/TOY17 I am super excited to own such a great piece Matt

Two weeks ago I purchased this Tanker from Stephen, a great, smooth transaction I thought I would share some pictures I took of it. It really looks great under the light. Enjoy, Matt