Smee78

and more....

More pics

Hello everyone, I am fairly new to the board and spend most of my time in the Military Sword section but have come across a sword that I don't know anything about. The seller claims its a WWII Japanese officers gunto samurai bonsi sword. Unsigned in good condition, leather scabbard, ray skin handle, silk woven grip, brass tsuba. Faint tempra line. 39” in total length. I am still trying to learn about these swords but there is so much to cover so I was told by a fellow MilitarySword board member to ask the experts over in this section.

Nice addition Bruce, looks like a neat addition.

Interesting sword, alot of detail on the pieces.

My sword adds to this list with 69022 東 一 within a cherry blossom

Trystan that is a scarry looking picture. That is alot of fakes that will be released on to the market, they even have the tsubas thrown into that box. I concour that the hope is that they are low quality fakes that can be eazy to spot. It makes you wonder how much they really have (materials, labor) into these fakes, what is their cost to make them?

+1 for Bruce.

So in my endevor to find a replacement screw/retainer for the handle of my NCO I emailed monkey....I know I know. I was just curious and his reply was that yes he had one and would sell it to me for....wait for it....$160 LOL. I would like a replacement and I know they are hard to find but for $160 I will pass. I will just keep an eye out for a junk/parts sword.

I would love to put an orginal on my sword VS a repop, if someone wants to sell me one for an amazing price I'm listening lol . Thanks for the pictures guys.

No worries, I understand. Thanks.

LOL Steve, Thanks anyway. Thats the way things work out from time to time. A month or two late and many dollars short. If ya run across any more please keep me in mind

Hello everyone, I'm thinking about getting a reproduction tassel for my sword, does anyone have any good pictures of one or could take pictures of theirs? I have seen a few online and the prices vary a lot as does the design and hardware/buckle used, I would like to get one that is as close to the orginal as I can. I just cant afford an original. Thanks, Ron

Well the good thing I can tell ya is to learn from here and move forward. What were your suspicions, what were making you think it was a fake? Dis you go against your gut?

Looks like a nice put together package, congrats on your build.

Sorry Dan, I forgot to mention the added extra screw hole in the handle. It must be a bonus that makes it lighter and faster There are all kinds of dishonest sellers out there just to make a buck. Good find Stegel.

This auction bugs me badly, https://www.ebay.com/itm/Japanese-Gunto-Marked-WW2/153783279632?hash=item23ce32a010:g:a78AAOSwkedd2rHQ, the sword has a hole drilled in the blade and scabbard. I asked the seller if there was a hole in them or if it was some kind of reflection in the picture. I was surprised when they answered me saying yes that there is a hold in the blade but not the scabbard??? They look like holes to me in roughly the same place? They said the previous owner drilled it so he could hang it on the wall. I asked "don't you think information like this should be included in the auctions description with your No Return policy?" I didn't get a response after that.

Thanks Thomas, That's the lowest price I have seen yet.

Thanks Dan, I will keep an eye out for a copy.

Ya a cut down mystery sword lol. Ebay does not surprise me anymore. $400-$1400 in the last few minutes, thats about right. I do like the shipping bamboo tube though.

Thanks Dan, I have picked up the Fuller book Military Swords of Japan 1868-1945 and one other book thus far, I'm reading as much as I can. I understand about "but when my wife is in the giving mood (rare these days)" I'm wondering what this "gift" will cost me lol?

That is an interesting example Steve. I would have a hard time on that blade with my limited knowledge.

Merry Christmas to you all and a Happy New year! I got new reading material for Christmas, Military Swords of Japan 1868-1945 by Fuller, Richard

Just out of curiousity what was the fake going for?

Thanks Steve for the information. I will apply what I have learned.