Utopianarian

Date I think Showa 16th year, 10th month = October 1941.

Yes, Thank you, I read the old thread. I saw that it was made of a composite of another type of material probably similar to celluloid. I would think pure celluloid would be highly flammable. Very interesting stuff

I did a search before I asked this question but initially couldn’t find anything. I figured somebody prob discussed this at some point on the board. Thanks again for more info Jean-Pierre

Thank you Jean-Pierre

They all had #1 matching seppa with markings on Tsuba

John, Here are some pics I saved of it. I know you know quite a bit about Gunto. Thank you

Yes it actually did have an yellowing or aged appearance and looking with the magnifying glass in the tiny crevasses at the edges of the skin between the fittings had the same aged consistency with tiny grains of dirt, wear and deposits which appeared original in relation to the rest of the fittings. Thank you Neil for educating me to that fact

Hello, my brother whom lives on the east coast recently came across a WW2 gunto that appeared to be a period appropriate WW2 gunto but one thing didn’t make sense. The Samegawa appeared to be synthetic upon closer inspection. The wrapping overtop appeared correct as well. I don’t know if somebody went to extreme lengths to fake this or not. Sting ray skin is not terribly expensive. Was there ever synthetic skin at that period of time ever used during the war effort?

Yes Hoping maybe late Nanbokucho

The polisher said the original length of this sword was prob around 33 inches!!

More photos

Finish polish by David Hofhine. I am happy with his work.

I definitely agree with John. Increase your odds of not getting burned on your first purchase by not dealing with Showa or monkey. Go with a reputable dealer or fellow board member here

Finish polish on Soshu or maybe Soden Bizen. Graining in hada appears much more vivid. Itame hada and some burl mokume. Hamon shows more activity lower into Hamon (very difficult to capture in pics).

Holy cow Brian your not kidding. An entire thread dedicated to him

By far the Award has got to go to the Samurai Monkey for the all time worst EBay seller. I once saw a WW2 Gunto that somebody spray painted with gold paint selling on eBay. I saw the same gunto show up again on eBay. The monkey whom I assume won the auction and trying to flip it again on eBay somewhat restored and buffed. I messaged him just curious asking if it was the gold painted gunto that sold before on eBay and he lied saying no. I know for certain it was the same blade due to unmistakable openings or ware on the blade in the exact same spots. He of course had a 300% markup on the price after a turpentine wash and a quick spin on the buffing wheel. Just a quick look at his items for sale tells the whole story of what this guys about.

This seller blocked me when I asked too many questions in the past about a sword if it was retempered or any hagaire etc. He did me a favor. I wouldn’t touch any of the guys stuff. Prob discarded faulty swords he dressed up in gunto fittings after a Bubba buffing job on the blade. Definitely stay away

Agree definitely looks fake. Return it if possible and learn from it.

I am very pleased with the work of David Hofhine finish polish on a possible Yoshii Bizen school Naganori katana

Thanks again Piers D!!

Thank you Moriyama!!

Piers D, Here is a better pic of the top of the date

Piers D, Michihiro does appear to be a closer fit. I think you are right. Thank you for your expertise.

First character

Michi could also be a possibility. I will try to post a more clear pic. Thank you