Short Officers Sword in Gunto Mounts?

[reeder]

Has anyone seen any of the shorter officers swords? I've been able to find similar but not exact mounts on the shorter swords for the navy and air force but not something in army mounts. The blade measures 32 inches from tip to tip while mounted. I know the pictures are horrible but that's what was sent to me. Can't wait until my buddy comes over with his hi-res camera, then quality of pics will greatly improve, including other pieces I've posted.

 

-Brandon

[george trotter]

Hi Brandon,

Just to clarify...there was no Air Force in WWII Japanese military structure...there was Navy Air Arm and Army Air Arm...so any short swords would be either in Navy or Army fittings....meaning there is no Air Force fittings as such.

They seem to be rare...there is an Army version on ebay at the moment, but no-where as nice in the blade as yours appears to be.

What is the blade...signed, dated? Sadly, it seems that someone has raided your handle for the menuki quite recently as your tsuka hishigami (paper triangles) are still adhering to the same. It would be worthwhile to get the tsuka re-wrapped IMHO.

Regards,

[mdiddy]

I have had several shorter swords in military mounts that were customized for their length. The military mounts included Shin Gunto, Kai Gunto, and Kyu Gunto fittings and the swords included Mizuta Kunishige, Hoshu Muneyuki, Sakushu Munemitsu, Bizen Sukesada, etc. In all cases they were either Edo period wakizashis or later Muromachi period uchigatana. They were all nicer than average WWII-era swords. I will see if I can dig up some pics. One of the Kyu Gunto mounts showed extensive decoration.

 

From the looks of your sword, I would say it is likely an Edo period wakizashi. Please keep us posted with better pics of the sword and mounts when you have them.

 

Matt

[reeder]

Thanks guys. It's actually something my uncle picked up and said he would give to me if I wanted it, I told him of course I want it. These were the only pics he had and I will get some, hopefully with friend's camera vs my phone, when I get it up from him. He said the guy he picked it up from said it had been in his family and sat in the attic for at least 35 years. I know those stories are not always necessarily true and the fact it looks like the sword was raided for the menuki (I agree with you on that one) makes the sitting in the attic for 35 years questionable, but I’m going to be happy with it.

 

-Brandon

[Stu W]

Well worth getting it wrapped and if you want it done properly contact Moses Becerra...

 

http://www.nihontoantiques.com/

 

Here's one of mine. You can find all sorts of blades in these Pilot/Tanker type mounts.

 

Regards,

Stu

[reeder]

B-E-A-utiful, Stu. Are you also on the Wehrmacht forums? Did you see the guy selling the 5 swords, one being Koa Isshin Mantetsu, one fake (that he ended up selling on eBay as original after being told it was fake), etc. I guess he had everyone bidding against each other and he wouldn't price it. Oh well, Steve F. was really annoyed (I talk to him a lot at the shows, really cool guy with a ton of knowledge on a ton of different things).

 

I can't wait to get my short sword from my uncle. I just hope he doesn't get the urge or need to sell it before I go down there.

 

-Brandon

[mdiddy]

Here are two military mounted wakizashi and an uchigatana that I have had over the years. The saya were all customized.

[reeder]

Matt, very nice on all three. I like the fact you have/had a number of variants.

 

-Brandon

[Dave S]

I have a decent Bizen Katana in Kai Gunto mount About shinto period.I would swap for a decent short gunto.Let me know .Dave

[reeder]

More pictures can be found here in better quality.

 

http://share.shutterfly.com/share/recei ... Ro1bsmjCtA

 

-Brandon