MacTheWhopper

I recently purchased a couple of swords from a seller online, He had mentioned that he had two more available for sale. I am out of my league in alot of this stuff but thought maybe I could post some pictures and see what the group thinks of them. I posted the first sword in the ninhoto forum as I thought it might be a traditional sword. This one seems to be a bit newer but I I think it is a military gunto. I can get more pictures tomorrow if that will help. The guy said the blade is unsigned on this sword. Any help is greatly appreciated.

I recently purchased a couple of swords from a seller online, He had mentioned that he had two more available for sale. I am out of my league in alot of this stuff but thought maybe I could post some pictures and see what the group thinks of them. The first of which is a longer sword that is signed. I believe it is a Tachi as it seems to look really long from the pictures. The seller said he isn't sure of the age but believes it to be older. I have posted the pictures that he had given to me. The other sword i belive is some sort of gunto and i will post a thread in the military sword portion to find out about it. I am able to get more pics if necessary. Any help is appreciated.

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I do like that tsuba you have listed. Do you think though with how big it is, it might look a little off on the sword?

Also, I was trying to figure out what kind of vine or leaf or pattern my fittings are to see if i could find a matching tsuba (probably impossible on a budget but it would be nice to see one) does anyone recognize what this pattern or what kind of flower or leaf it is is on the fittings? It kind of looked like the leaves that are on some gourd tsubas but I wasnt sure of that

Thank you for the info. I really appreciate how helpful all of the members in this community are. So refreshing.

From another thread, I was told it was a handachi. I am no expert either

I think that SAS thought that is was going to need 7.5mm after the seppa so figured i would need a bigger set but yeah, I would like to hopefully find a somewhat matching tsuba. Atleast matching to the period and style. It definitely doesn't need to be fancy. My price range may be a little low as well. I am not quite sure though.

7.55mm is the total space. So for 2 1mm seppa, I would need 5.55mm on the tsuba or if it were 4 1mm seppa, the tsuba would need to be 3.55mm.

I am looking for Tsuba to complete my sword that will hopefully go with the style but I would like to see whats out there. Budget is a pretty big concern for me Probably 150.00 max but please send me what you have if its close. The measurements that I got from the blade are 7mm at the thickest point and 23.32mm in length. I have 7.55mm of distance between the Tsuka and Habaki so I think I have plenty of room for most options. The pictures are of the sword that I am looking to complete, for reference.

Thats really good info to know. After doing a little bit of research online, I cant seem to find a Tsuba that is that big though, it makes me thing that the tsuka was just pieced together with the blade but I do hope to be wrong. I suppose the WTB section is my best bet for this or to have something custom made May have to do that. Was hoping to try and keep the sword in older condition but I dont think there is much for options on it

Yeah. its 5/8" in thickness. It only has 1 seppa fitting with it but i dont think that would make much of a difference though.

I took a measurement with the habaki and seppa in place and i got 5/8" on that measurement to the fuchi. That seems like a really big tsuba though, isnt it? The Tsuba on my gunto is much smaller than that.

This is very good to know. It came with this seppa so I think i just need to find a tsuba that will go well with the sword.

That is interesting to know. Knowing that I paid 430.00 for the sword as it is. Was that an alright price for it? Not having the Tsuba is a bit of concern for me as i know they can be expensive.

Yes I believe the seppa is correct.

Received the sword today and am posting more pictures. Also. I believe this sword should have a tsuba and the other pieces for the tsuba on it. When looking for a tsuba that would go with this sword, What would I like for? Like something that is within the period of the fittings?

Sorry it took so long to respond. Spent a couple of days with the girlfriends family for a late xmas. I havent received the sword yet but i will post the other photos that I have.

Is there a website that helps to identify the age of a blade? I just recently purchased this sword and it had alot of information on it, I am just not sure on how to confirm the information on it. Does dawsons book cover older swords? I had received the following information on the sword: Possibly Mino, late Koto or Early Shinto circa 1550 Very attractive fittings with cold gold was effect, possibly applied later in sword's life (1800's). No tsuba. Laquered wood saya with tachi elements to fittings. Blade possibly shortened early Mino (One of the 5 traditions in Japanese swordmaking). Unsigned, probably shortened from longer katana. Small nick to edge nearer tip. Very nice gilded habaki, this was originally a top-notch piece. Hamon visible nearer habaki, invisible near kissaki (tip). Need to be polished. Any information is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Deal! Just kiddng though. Thank you so much for the info on the sword. Id love to read up more on it. So the marking of Ishikawa Kanetsugu is the sword makers name i assume? I found alot of information on Kanetsugu but I couldnt find anything that links ishikawa kanetsugu together. Is hew maybe a lesser known relative or is Ishikawa where the blade was made? All information is so very appreciated and I think I have found me a keeper.

So my g/f decided to give me an early christmas present this year. I asked for the book on swords so that I can I learn more about them so I buy the right sword and not a fake. She instead decided to buy me a Gunto sword. She was too excited to wait until christmas to give it to me. I am hoping to get some information on the markings on the sword. The only thing she told me is that she was told that it it was a navy Gunto. Any other information would be greatly appreciated. I know there are alot of very knowledgeable members on here. The blade is definitely rough and the scabbard is as well but i really like it, none the less.

That's great news. How about the Scabbard? Most of them seems to have a bit of a different Scabbard than the one I have. Is it maybe a Scabbard for a different sword or just a different variation?

The part where the blade meets the handle guard thing (gosh I have a lot to learn) has a leather piece on it and from what I've seen. Alot of them had a steel piece

Well that's good news. It's weird cause online it seemed that the otsu's had a higher serial range but maybe that site was wrong on it

My grandfather supposedly brought this sword home back from WWII, I say supposedly because part of me is concerned that sometime between the time he brought it back and it was given to me, that there could be some sort of foul play and I would like to see if i can get some info on it. So after reviewing the pictures here are my concerns 1. The serial number of the blade says 21498 and the stamping of the serial number doesn't quite the same as some of the other type 32's that I have seen online. On another site, Otsu's werent numbered that low. It says they around the 30k mark, I believe 2. The Sheath at the bottom doesnt seem to have the same configuration as other type 32s that I have seen 3. The arsenal markings are very lightly struck it looks like. Its very hard to make them out. The screw for the grip is on backwards (this of course could be reversed but thats why im concerned for foul play) Im just wondering if someone got their hands on the one my grandfather had and switched it out with a reproduction or what. Some of the things above concern me. I looked at the ohmura study page and it didnt mention the serial numbers of the otsu swords but a different did. What do you guys think? This was the sword that got my started into sword collecting but after some research, IU have concerns.