KH195 Posted March 18, 2013 Report Posted March 18, 2013 Hello all, purchased my first Japanese sword the other day and hoping it was not a mistake. I've searched the forum, looked at the fakes, tried to translate kanji, but since my knowledge is limited I'm asking for help. Appears to me to be a Type 98(?) gunto, but I'm having reservations about the authenticity. The good: bought it an estate sale that had many other items brought back after WWII. The sword looks old - scabbard is well worn with areas of rust, wear, and flaking paint, blade has wear and corrosion in spots. Fittings look correct for a gunto. The (potentially) bad: Blade appear to have a damascus-y blade, which seems to in many cases indicate a fake. The grain is not in your face, but there none the less. There is a clear separation between grain and "hamon" the entire length of the blade however. Signature and number on tang look sketchy at best. Any help is appreciated! Quote
Mark Posted March 19, 2013 Report Posted March 19, 2013 It looks like a Chinese fake to me. sorry Quote
Grey Doffin Posted March 19, 2013 Report Posted March 19, 2013 I agree. No doubt; it's a fake. Grey Quote
Dr Fox Posted March 19, 2013 Report Posted March 19, 2013 Do I see Hada showing on the Shinogi-ji? Where has that been copied from? Denis. Quote
hxv Posted March 19, 2013 Report Posted March 19, 2013 I suspect/hope you didn't pay too much for it. Consider it an inexpensive mistake. Spend time perusing this site and you won't make the same mistake again. Hope you will stick around and develop yourself as a collector. Regards, Hoanh Quote
KH195 Posted March 19, 2013 Author Report Posted March 19, 2013 Thanks all, appreciate the comments. Clearly paid more than I should have, but nothing to lose sleep over. Quote
Lindus Posted March 19, 2013 Report Posted March 19, 2013 Not sure on the fake side,tsuba looks right with the cut through sections,worth another look before discarding. Had a collector down on Saturday,brought several swords one of which he thought may have been a fake as the Seppa,tsuba & Fuchi were screwed together. I had never seen this in forty plus years,but it was a 100% genuine Japanese Gunto mounted shin shinto sword. In this game it is allways worth another personal Kantei'ish Roy Quote
Kai-Gunto Posted March 20, 2013 Report Posted March 20, 2013 Its 100% fake sword from China , no doubt. I have seen that tsuba and seppas before with the scews and its the real deal. Quote
Alan Morton Posted March 20, 2013 Report Posted March 20, 2013 Hello KH??? You need to look at more swords in Hand. Gun Shows and Sword Shows in your area are a good place to start. Where do you live, maybe other collectors in your area. Alan Quote
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