Scogg

I agree with Colin. I think it's an assortment of genuine WW2 era parts that have been put together after the war; and likely outside of Japan. We have various threads in the Military Swords section that feature different Gunto and relevant fittings. With the many variations of gunto (94, 95, 98, Type 3/100/rinji, Kyu, Kai, etc?...) it's probably easier to address each sword individually rather than have a fake gunto thread that covers them all. Either way, I don't think this koshirae would belong in a "fake" discussion anyway. @Bruce Pennington thoughts? All the best, -Sam

I think this is what you’re thinking of. It’s a web archive article, so scroll down a little for the content. https://web.archive.org/web/20201022000337/https://blog.yuhindo.com/hozon-is-a-test-juyo-is-a-competition/ For more Darcy artcles, Ray Singer generously put this together on his site, see below: https://swordsofjapan.com/nihonto-library/darcy-brockbank-articles/ Hope this is what you’re looking for, -Sam

Great work @Bruno. Would love to see them all together sometime. Could be a valuable reference image

CLUB UPDATE: We've got 16 members (and counting!) in the PNW that have signed up to join the club. That's more than I anticipated, which is great! I think that's plenty of people to justify the club, and plan annual meetups. I hope to have a flier on a club members table at the SF swordshow. Hopefully to scrounge up some more local membership. After the SF show, I will be booking a meeting space, and scheduling our first meeting hopefully in the fall or winter. Stay tuned in AUGUST for meeting dates and details. Thanks again everyone, -Sam

True, and I think it could have been a valuable discussion. I guess my point was that anything worth while is a needle in a haystack now. Here I am, not helping that situation . In hindsight, I should not have interjected. I re-read this today, it’s a good write up and very interesting. https://markussesko.com/2016/01/20/cast-sword-fittings/ -Sam

"AYASUGI HADA" A hallmark of Gassan smiths. Really nice looking sword! I am jealous of your 200 sword viewing

Imagine acquiring your very first Tsuba, and you're wondering if it might be cast. You do some googling, and find yourself here with 19 pages to sift through - only to find a lot of arguments and hypothetical ideas. How frustrating that must be . Beating a dead horse is right... -Sam

Do you have a photograph of the entire blade shape perhaps? I am a little confused by your question. Can you describe what looks wrong about the kissaki to you? Is it the lack of defined yakote YOKOTE? I suspect the sugata may be SHOBU ZUKURI, which is a blade shape that lacks yakote YOKOTE. See sugata types below: http://meiboku.info/guide/form/zukuri/index.htm Either way, the condition is not great as you note. That's not blood stain, but rather rust/pitting/corrosion. I do hear the 'blood stain' story in the wild pretty frequently; but it's never actually blood. Hope this helps, -Sam

It appears to be a modern reproduction. Here is a helpful link: https://www.jssus.org/nkp/fake_japanese_swords.html IMHO, All the best, -Sam

Hi John, Welcome to the forum! Some good advice on page 1 of this thread about collecting, also worth checking out the "FAQ" and "downloads" section of this forum. That being said, it eventually boils down to personal preferences and budget. If you are able, I would recommend getting to a sword show or two and handling some swords - to see what "speaks" to your interests. If you do, make sure you study up on proper handling and etiquette, because it's very important: https://swordsofjapan.com/nihonto-library/nbthk-etiquette/ I collect both WW2 and older blades, because I simply could not make that choice for myself. I like my wartime swords in "untouched" condition, while I prefer older swords to be papered and in good polish. To each their own! Don't forget the options to collect fittings or armor too . All the best, -Sam

Very nice, Bruce! I always really liked those green ito + combat cover civ guntos. I once had one in very similar fittings. A hirazukuri wakizashi in civ gunto fittings and leather combat cover. Might even be the same fuchi/kashira... Unfortunately, I sold this one a while back; to prioritize another sword project. I think I will always regret letting this one go -Sam

They are definitely more rare, and it’s something that myself, as someone interested in Type 95’s, would desire. I only have about a half dozen cataloged. The problem is, some of these obscure “transitional differences” like the no bohi Suya’s, are so unknown by the general collecting population - that it doesn’t seem to affect price much, if at all. Some people might even try to point it out as a sign of a fake, not ever having seen one like it. Generally the early serial numbers, condition, and the pattern types drive the price more. The rarity makes them cooler if you ask me though, and I’d pay an extra little bit for one if I were in the market. -Sam

Sorry for being off topic, I nearly mistook @loiner1965 for @Lewis B , because they have nearly identical profile pictures Just a heads-up, All the best, -Sam

No biggie. Feel free to add more photos to this thread - but you may have to resize or crop down your images. I saw your posts on reddit so I got to see the fittings over there. As far as authentication goes, Ray Singer there is someone that I would trust. Otherwise, depending on where you are in the US, there are various shows throughout the year you could bring your sword to be examined. There's one in San Francisco, Chicago, Orlando, and Vegas. I'm in no position to opine on weather or not it's a false signature (gimei), But there are some here on the forum that have that eye. Best of luck, -Sam

@Jcusiman08 I deleted the duplicate in the "Military Swords Of Japan", because I believe your blade to be a Nihonto. I will mention though, that your blade is currently in WW2 Type 98 fittings with a nice cutout tsuba. @Ray Singer Included this link in the now deleted post, I figured I'd carry it over here - I hope you do not mind. https://nihonto.com/the-yasutsugu-school-康継系/ There is another duplicate thread in the translation section, but the legitimacy of the mei is relevant. Any further cleaning up I'll leave to @Brian All the best, -Sam

This fake is very common and obvious with the decorative blade. That being said, here is a lesson in safety and how NOT to photograph swords. Even though it’s fake, holding a sword out with one hand, and taking photos with the other, on a mobile raised step ladder?! Glad this guy survived to post his fake .. Safety is no accident, -Sam

@EryrWen I’m going to move this discussion over to the “Military Swords of Japan” section, because I think it fits better there and you may get more feedback. All the best, -Sam

Your sword is the Pattern 2 configuration, with aluminum handle and brass tsuba. Based on it's serial number and stamps, I would say it's not particularly early or late. It's my belief that the pattern 2 configuration was continued into the later parts of the war at least from the Iijima factory. It is not entirely clear what date the transition from Pattern 2 to Pattern 3 happened at every arsenal or sword shop. Some of these finer details and transitional dates are what I am committed to investigating. @Kiipu may or may not have more information for us. Cool sword! -Sam

Hi Domi, Yes, this is possible. If the sword underwent a field repair/replacement the scabbard may not have been re-serialized. I actually have a Type95 in my collection without a number on the scabbard. The Type95 in your photos is a Nagoya Arsenal blade, bearing the fuchi stamps: 'Sakura Ichi', Nagoya 名, and the Kokura arsenal four stacked cannonballs. Because it was still under the Kokura arsenal it dates prior to September 1942... Someone else might be able to narrow it down, but I would conservatively say between June 1939 and September 1942. The Orange/Brown tassel is pretty desirable too, but I'll allow someone who's more familiar on those to comment about that. All the best, -Sam

It is not for an NCO gunto. I have seen a near identical one in reference to Civilian Gunto. I've attached a photo of it - listed as "fig leaf". See comments from @Bruce Pennington on the thread linked below: https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/32654-iron-civilian-gunto-tsuba/ Hope this helps, -Sam

These types of fittings are often called "Kyu Gunto" (old military sword) fittings, and they were made from around 1875 to 1934 - when it was replaced by the more traditional looking shin gunto. I am not familiar with that stamp, but will be following along to learn about it! Thanks for sharing this big collection with us. It's been fun seeing all your clasped hands sarute, and your variety of swords. I'll miss it when you run out of blades! All the best, -Sam

Not sure if your fall dates will line up... If they do, this is on my bucket list of sword events to attend: https://nihonto.com/2025-dai-token-ichi-tokyo-Japan/

My pleasure @TBSM! It's a really nice looking replica, and the photographs are conveniently 'far away'... I think it would fool many. Feel free to inquire about any future Japanese swords that you're interested in. We're always here and happy to help All the best, -Sam

Hi Matei, welcome to the forum, I am confident that the sword in your photos is a fake or a replica. The telltale signs are the bohi terminating early, the indented rather than raised samegawa, the large sarute, and like Rawa said - the stamps on the blade and fuchi are a bit off. All the best, -Sam

Thanks guys. This one threw me for a loop. It helps to get some knowledgable views outside the peanut gallery that is Facebook Much appreciated, -Sam