Paul G

Thanks for your input Rob. I couldn't get the habaki off and didn't want to cut myself trying. I put the end of the tape at what I felt would be the notch in the blade, so the nagasa is really close to 23 5/8. I always thought a Katana was roughly over 24 inches. Good to know. Thanks for your thoughts!

Here are a couple more pictures of the nakago.

Hi John, Its hard to see, but the tassel is original to the sword. You can tell with these better pictures. Thanks for your comments

more

other pics

Hello everyone, This is the first thread that I have started. I have an unsigned type 98 that came out of a GI footlocker about 15 years ago. This, along with many other items were brought home from the pacific. To me, its a well used Army officers shin gunto in type 98 mounts. I will be selling this and just wanted to make sure I am not missing something. By definition, it is a wakizashi blade in a bit longer scabbard. I thought I read here that a wakizashi shin gunto in type 98 mounts, made during the war period was uncommon? Can anyone confirm if this looks like a shingunto blade, or older than that. Just trying to understand this sword fully. Thank you all for your comments, Paul G-

I would sell them if they bother you and get ones that are "clean: in their original state. It should not be hard to sell. To me, I think the tassel looks better when it matches the ito. Clean ito, clean tassel. stained ito, stained tassel. Its a more natural look and there is a market for tassles with all types of wear. PG-

Thank you Very Much!! PG-

Hello, Can I get help identifying the Mon on this sword that I have. Thank you so much for you help!! Paul G-

Thank you all for your comments and information! I appreciate your time and knowledge. Paul G-

Hello everyone, Can anyone tell me what the date of manufacture is on this Type 95 from the serial number? Its a nice Type 95 made by Tokyo First with a unstamped iron fuchi. The serial number is 125028. Thank you for any and all help! Paul G-

Thank you Steve! I see it now, it is indeed three geese! I appreciate your time!! Paul G-

Hello everyone, I posted this Mon on the Mon ID thread, but don't know if that will get anyone looking at it, as I think I just posted a reply to the thread, not sure?? In any case, I have this Mon which is on a 1944 dated Kanemune Shin gunto. I have not been able to identify this Mon. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks to all. Paul G-

Hello everyone, Special Thank to Bruce Pennington for sending me this way. There have been some nice Mon posted here! Can someone please help me to understand which family / Clan this Mon represents. I have exhausted on my limited search skills. Thank You, Paul G-

True, he also operates under the ebay name "worldsbestcollector" which he uses to sell his fake flag creations....horrible guy! total idiot! PG-

I read an account of a Pacific war vet who stated that there was a rumor amongst the GI's who believed there were precious gems wrapped into the Tsuka Ito of swords. He wrote that many a sword suffered the handle unwrapping by the fellows looking for gems. PG-

Thank you John for the additional link! PG-

Thank you Bruce and john for your comments and information. There is a wealth of knowledge here and its amazing! There are some pretty interesting reads there Bruce! I am seeing, that lots of things are possible! PG-

Hello everyone, I am a relatively new sword collector. I have been collecting Japanese militaria of the WW2 era for about 15 years. That was started by inheriting a Star stamped Gendaito, in Renji Seishiki Gunto mounts, made by Kanehide in February 1944. I have added a few swords over the years and have a very base knowledge of what to look for in a Japanese sword. I have an obscure question: Has anyone seen a Kai Gunto with white rayskin samegawa and Army style menuki? I have seen army style menuki mounted in Kai Gunto Tsuka a few times, but have not seen white samegawa. I have seen a sword with this anomaly, and everything else about the sword was Kai Gunto, such as the Fuchi and Kashira. Has anyone else seen this before? I don't have a picture of the particular sword. Thank you all, PG-

You are correct, Thats it. Thank you all for the additional information. PG-

Hello everyone, I am interested in this sword, but am concerned about a forging flaw. Is this a forging flaw that in non-fatal? or is it a crack / fatal flaw? Your expertise is greatly appreciated. It is also said to be an old blade, a Bizen Sukesada. Thank you for your comments. PG-

Hello, if you have not found anyone to split it with you, I will. PG-