PacificRim

This is mine, 10123

Tensho and Mike, thanks for sharing your swords. I also acquired two type 8 kyu a few years ago, one dress sword and one with a traditionally forged combat blade. Alex

I think the Kabuto gane and the ishizuki are original, rest are reproductions.

The sword appears to be legit, I think the sword was sent to China for a Chinese made saya with fittings.

John, that’s what I suspected as well. The shape of the cherry blossoms is way off.

This is from my 94…

Not sure about it’s Japanese craftsmanship, and the spring holds the chuso looks very new, just my 2 cents

So from another forum the owner of this sword claimed that all the fittings are original WW2 era and they were ‘hand crafted’ by Japanese smiths, not sure if it’s true.

WW2 blood chit

Bruce and Thomas, The number underneath is 173.

Greetings, it’s been a while, I hope everyone is healthy and safe during this pandemic. I recently purchased a kyu gunto and I believe it is a Murata Do in Mukade Giri Maru style.

Bruce, I got the info from a Chinese gunto forum in China (similar to NMN) where most of the gunto and nihonto enthusiasts import their swords from Japan. This sword was posted a few days ago and questions were raised by many collectors. As more collectors put in their opinions and someone brought up that the recent improvements of mei faking/engraving skills, done by the sword smiths working in Longquan, a city that is famous of making swords ( mostly replicas ) . The photos of the tang with alleged fake mei were posted by one of the collectors.

Here is a type 94 in question, the fittings appeared to be genuine but the blade seems off.

Greetings, hope everyone is doing well and staying healthy during this pandemic. A friend just informed me that the sword makers in Longquan China are engraving high quality fake mei on their “Japanese swords.” Photos attached.

Just purchased this type 19 with surrender tag on it. Can’t believe it is still in mint condition after 90+ years.

Don’t leave showa22 out ????

Photos attached

Just saw these photos on a gunto website in China, the quality of replicas is getting a lot better.

Saw this on an online auction, the signature is not right and the quality of the fittings is questionable...but I could be wrong. https://www.ebay.com/itm/WW2-Japanese-Army-Officer-SHIN-GUNTO-Sword-Katana-Minamoto-Tetsuo-IJA-Samurai-/123945966724

Thanks Bruce, I saw it still has the second / removable hanger that’s why I bought it, for $275 I think it’s a fair price. I think the hilt is buffalo horn and has all the wires.

I just bought this type 8 (now I know it’s a type 19) parade sword two days ago from a gentleman whose uncle was a WW2 Vet. He said the sword had been stored in his basement for over 20 years after he inherited it from his uncle. The sword is in good condition all I did was cleaning the rust off the scabbard. The blade is sharp and looks different than a dress sword blade. Thanks everyone for sharing your knowledge. Best regards, Alex

This one is dated 1935 company grade gunto.