star stamp gunto

[bcjm]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/350871664666

 

The bottom tang hole seems out of place. Is that original?

[cabowen]

Yes it is original and yes, sometimes they aren't perfectly centered.

[Gabriel L]

The next logical question would be "were there gunto tsuka with a second mekugi then?" Otherwise, why bother with the second mekugi-ana...

[SwordGuyJoe]

Late 44 mounted blades (like the one in the auction) have two mekugi. Usually one is bamboo as normal and one screw.

[george trotter]

Hi Gabriel,

Here is an example of 2 mekugi ana on a Type 3 mounted blade that are out of alignment...almost missed altogether! It is not uncommon on WWII swords in these mounts, especially the hand made ones...maybe relates to the desire for curvature of the tsuka vs the lack of curvature in the nakago.

And yes, in this case one is a screw and one is a peg, but 2 screws or 2 pegs are also seen.

Hope this helps,

[w.y.chan]

It sort of give the impression of a cut down koto sword, two mekugiana and with "yahazu ana" below

 

and a more modern version