brannow

These type 94 gunto were only carried by higher ranking officers. They were not carried by lower rank officers. I once bought a very nice Sokan Tanto with horimono from a vet. He had befriended a family and gave them a sack of rice. The tanto was a gesture of their appreciation. No doubt it was their family treasure. Another story, several years ago I found an ubu tachi by Gojo Kuninaga that ended up going tokuju. The story with that one was the guy who brought it back as a souvenir was a member of MacArthur staff. I have no reason to doubt the story of the Vet or the story that the Gojo came from the estate of someone on Gen MacArthur's staff. Those guys all got great swords to take home because they had Japanese liaison's. Anyway here are a few more photos. Hard to read but might be Sukemitsu.

No provenance other then the story but I have no reason to doubt the guy I bought it from. These type 94 gunto mounts were usually carried by high ranking officers.

I thought I would share this legitimate Generals sword with the board. It came from the Son of an army vet who was a part of the early occupation. The son told me his father traded an elderly Japanese general a 10 lbs sack of sugar for it. He didn't know the tassel denoted the rank until I told him. Enjoy! Bill Rannow Mpls, MN

I think I have posted them in the past. If not I might have to retake pics.

I Have a couple that I bought out of the woodwork years ago that are like the one that started the thread and believe them to be legitimate.

As Darcy said it was a part of a very important old collection. I have to say I was a little surprised what the swords I was interested in went for.

Here are a few for you!

There is absolutely nothing wrong with this sword. I wish I would have seen it! Maybe the buyer will get cold feet (that is if he or she is stupid)and Fred will sell it to me.

The pics are not working?

I would use a sharpened deer antler.

Hamfish, It is a possibility. I would love to polish and paper it but I have too many other biggies in the pipeline. Bill

Thanks guys! Here is the whole koshirae and blade which are both quite nice. Unfortunately the Koshirae is missing the tsuba and menki. Bill

Jean, This is the Kozuka for the Tanto koshirae! I am not saying its the tanto! Bill

Agree with what others have said above. For that kind of money you will be able to buy a pretty nice sword!

John, Interesting it almost looks like there might be a Mon on that hanger of the west point sword also.

Because of how the mounts are configured, it was probably a Manchurian officer attached to the Japanese navy.

Hi John, The sword with the Mon on the Ashi was a very interesting one. The blade was a Kamakura period Ko Mihara. It had a Burmese Rubi set in the lock release button and a tiger with a poem on one side of the habaki and a mon on the other side. The most interesting thing though was the story the seller told me after I bought it from him. He was a antique gun dealer and had a store for many years and it was bought from a vet who told him it had belonged to General Yamashita. I took it to Japan many years ago and tried to substantiate what swords Yamashita owned but was not able to find much information. One of his swords is on display in a museum and I dont remember which one.

Very nice Bruce!

When something is etched with acid it needs to be neutralized or the acid will keep eating at the metal.

The gunto that started the thread is an original sword but it has been heavily acid etched by an armature polisher and it does not look like it has been neutralized.

Here are pics of the nakago. Bill

Sorry ill post more photos tomorrow.

ill have to take pics of the nakago and post them later tonight. Not a copy though.

The blade is a signed Masatsuna and is an oil tempered blade. Sorry here are pics of the tsuba.

Hi All, I thought I would share this Manchurian naval sword I picked up a few weeks ago. Its the only one Ive ever seen so its got to be pretty rare. Anyone else ever seen one before? Enjoy!