Bridges

Well that’s unfortunate, although the pattern is still beautiful. By far my favorite hamon.

Hey @David Flynn, what leads you to believe this? This model has a mekugi and appears to be sharpened which indicates it has been tempered. It would not make sense, to me, to temper a blade only to etch a hamon over the natural hamon.

Title says it all, picture attached.

Hey guys, I have discovered a type 19 with a wooden grip. Appears to be old, single suspension mount on saya so pre-1932. I reviewed the books but am coming up short. Standard cherry blossom so not colony made. Does anyone have origin info on older type 19s with wood handles?

@Bruce Penningtonthe small screw above the button that releases the saya was the key Bruce. This screw affixes the backstrap to the handle.

I have not @Bruce Pennington, however, the auction house took a picture of the bare nakago so this piece was taken apart a little over a month ago.

Hey guys, I have removed the mekugi but I have no luck past that on the handle or hilt coming lose…Am I missing something?

Thanks for the input @Bruce Pennington! Upon review of the backstrap, this type has DEEPLY engraved detail compared to others. I’ll attach it beside another example of mine that is also fully decorated. To really see the difference, note the vines. I love the parade saber!

@Ontario_Archaeologyi see the child’s sword but am having trouble locating the youth type.

Thanks for the input @Ontario_Archaeology, that’s a neat acquisition! Where did you acquire it?

To say I’m surprised is an understatement, this type 19 is EXTREMELY short compared to a standard 19. Is this a youth type 19 referenced in Dawson’s book? A standard type is included for reference. Note the short grip.

My point entirely. Glad to hear you saved a blade shamsy.

Question. I am aware you should never clean the tang. But, how do you properly preserve it? The idea of allowing rust to erode a sword’s structural integrity into becoming a non-functional paperweight over time to preserve a monetary value just throws me for a loop. Not to mention the rust spreading from the nakago past the habaki. Tamahagane is a high carbon steel after all. I am also aware rust is used to date Nihonto but there is no need to date gunto as we have resources strictly outlying dates of manufacture of gunto past 1876! Here is my gunto. Small amounts of active rust forming. If I don’t clean the tang, is it beneficial to lather thick grease/cosmoline on the tang to cut off the rusts oxidation with air and keeping the rust in an active state on the blade? This seems plausible to me as the rust would still be active (red) but would cease to spread due to lack of oxygen. Thoughts?

Thanks @Bruce Pennington, what a crude copy. I expected more from these counterfeiters!

I need to watch the market more…

Hey John, I looked but this one (on eBay) was the only one I could find that was not damaged.

Hello all, Unfortunately I had to purchase an entire type 19 to secure a knot as I have been unable to find any original knots on the internet for sale (I only paid 236 for everything). Attached is the knot that I purchased, I’m assuming these are hard to come by due to my Internet research. Does anyone have references on where to secure additional knots or maybe even replica knots? I’m eventually wanting to get a true field grade kyu gunto knot for my recent purchase but that is currently unobtainable. (Second knot picture in comments)

What an interesting choice in paint on the saya!

Hey John, got any recommendations on reputable sellers?

Thanks Matt!

“It was at this time that the arsenals 工廠 were renamed as 陸軍造兵廠.” @Kiipu, I do not know kanji but I saw where you said the Arsenal was renamed to 陸軍造兵廠 and the kanji 兵廠 is on the tang unless I’m misreading it. That’s why I thought the blade would be made after 1940 as the renamed arsenal appears on the nakago but I don’t know kanji so you would have to enlighten me.

Hey @Kiipu, if I’m understanding you correctly. The renamed arsenal stamped my blade after 1940. How is that possible if the cavalry model was discontinued in 1932? Could the whole gunto be special ordered or is this a case of old fittings on a “new” blade?

Thanks PNS I thought so too! John C, I couldn’t agree more. I’m very happy I did not pass on this purchase. @Kiiputhats very interesting! Let me ask you this, @Bruce Pennington posted a portion of Dawkins book regarding the post. I’m not home as of now to cross reference but did they make this model that late into the 1900’s? When I get home I’ll check but going off what Bruce posted, is this a glorified type 32?!