Out of the Woodwork - 2 x Type 3 Gunto

[dnmmilo]

G'day,

 

I wonder if anyone can assist me here. I recently managed to buy 2 Type 3 Gunto from a seller close to where I live in Central New South Wales. I've attached photos of the inscriptions on both swords. Matt J has assisted me in identifying the the bottom sword which is signed Kunihiro. The top sword though has us stumped and I'd really appreciate any assistance on what it reads which we think might be ..........hide.

 

In addition any background on either make would be most gratefully received.

 

As for the dates, the top sword is Showa Ni Jyu Nen Ni Gatsu, or Feb 1945 and the bottom sword is Showa Jyu Ku Nen Go Gatsu, or May 1944.

 

Cheers

 

David

[David McDonald]

Dear David

 

I see

 

Kikuhide for the first sword

see Hawley KIK3 a Seki smith work period around 1935

 

the second one I found a note that works

 

Kunihiro

a 2 character signature in Sosho script, used Na stamp and

possibly the same smith as Kataoka Kunihiro

 

Not sure but a start.

 

Good luck

david

[dnmmilo]

Cheers David, I'm grateful for that mate. I've not come across Kikuhide before so that is a really useful steer.

 

Forgive my ignorance, but what do you mean by the term Na Stamp, I assume you're referring to the 2 tang stamps below the signature?

 

Anyway thanks again mate for the info, I really appreciate the help.

[george trotter]

I have seen the Kuni written that way before also but can't remember if it was this smith now...probably was.

 

Kunihiro is given as Kataoka Kunihide in Fuller & Gregory yellow books and in Jinsoo Kim san's list as being registered as

Kataoka Chikashi (smith name Kunihide) a Seki kaji on 13th Nov 1941...NOT to be confused with Takashima Kunihide of Fushimi (Kyoto) an RJT smith.

Also, Kikuhide is listed here as Murayama Kikuo (smith name Kikuhide) started at Seki on 17th Feb 1943.

From the Na and Seki stamps mentioned it appears these two smiths were making army showato in Seki and they were mounted/inspected through NAgoya arsenal.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

[dnmmilo]

G'day George, Really grateful to you mate for your assistance with that attribution. The generosity of guys on this board who, like you, are willing to share their knowledge with novices like me is really admirable. Cheers Cobber - David

[cisco-san]

from Markus´s book :-)

 

Kikuhide (菊秀), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – „Kikuhide“ (菊秀), civilian name „Murayama Kikuo“ (村山菊雄), born September 21st

1905, he worked as guntō smith and died April 8th 1952

 

Kunihiro (国広), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – „Kunihiro“ (国広), civilian name „Kataoka Itoshi“ (片岡愛), born am April 1st 1895, he

worked as rikugun-jumei-tōshō and died December 2nd 1965

[dnmmilo]

Haben Sie vielen Dank Klaus.

 

I suppose the fact that Kunehiro was listed as rikugun-jumei-tōshō would explain the 2 stamps below his signature. Now I just have to understand what they are.

 

Thanks again for your efforts.

 

Auf Wiedersehen David

[Bruno]

Hi David,

 

Rikungun jumei tosho means star stamped nakago. Please show us a close up of your two stamps you have.

[David Flynn]

David, did you clean up the tangs?

[dnmmilo]

G'day David, I suspect from the question that I'm about to get a bollocking, but yes the I did clean the tang of the kunehiro signed one with rifle oil and flannelette. Is that an own goal? As the handle had clearly not been removed for so long it was extremely dirty, not oxidised, just dirtty. I haven't touched the blades which are both oiled and await your advice. Being a reletive novice when it comes to these weapons I'm more than happy to hear any guidance you or others may have on how to care and preserve them. Cheers David

[David Flynn]

G'day David, both tangs look like they've been cleaned of any rust. Rubbing with oil is Ok, but going back to shiny metal isn't.

[dnmmilo]

Cheers David, The other sword came with the Tsuka, Tsuba and Seppa in a bag, although they're all marked with the same number. Regards David