tony123 Posted October 26, 2013 Report Posted October 26, 2013 Can someone please help me identifying this sword. I bought this at an auction a few weeks ago out of curiosity. Since then, I've been researching various sites but have come out empty. I’m still a novice …… I should have read a bit before forking out $$$ Initially, I thought it was a Shin Gunto type 98 but i'm not sure. First of all, the sword is very dirty and neglected. The saya is iron ( it attracts a magnet ) and rusty. All but a few slithers of paint has gone, it appears that the previous coating was greenish. There is only one suspension mount on the saya. ( the second suspension mount ). The handle is wrapped in same and has brownish leather tsuka-ito. The leather could be some sort of fish skin as the material is speckled. The tsuka-ito is very brittle and dry. It appears that great care has been taken to wrap the tsuka-ito. The same does not cover all of the handle. I can see wood at the top, where the kabuto-gane is fitted. I also cannot see the peg clearly. I can barely see one end of the peg. As previously mentioned, the tsuka-ito is quite brittle and moving it could break it. The kabuto-gane is all bronze and the handle does NOT have a hole for the sarute. Some Fu@k nut decided to file away the ends of the kabuto-gane. The Ishizuki is also bronze as is the semegane. The same Fu@ck nut decided to dip the in oil ?? There are two Menuki on the handle ( one on each side ) but due to dirty and dust, I cant see it clearly. The tsuba is bronze and not painted I’ve seen this at various internet sites. Its is “Early Open Work Guard”. And so there is no spring clip and so the blade can easily slip away from the saya. The blade is pitted and rusty but it still retains a sharp edge. The length from tip of the blade to the collar is 80 cms. The over all length is 100 cm. There are no serial numbers that I can see. Here are some pics http://imageshack.us/g/1/10369725/ Questions: 1. Is the sword trash or treasure ? 2. I want to remove the handle but it needs a good clean to reveal the peg. How do I clean the Handle without destroying the ito ? I do not have any specialised sword tools. 3. Does it matter which end of the peg you hit ? I read somewhere that the pegs are cone shaped and so you should hit the smaller end. 4. Does it seem strange that there is no hole for the sarute ? 5. Does it seem strange that this gunto does not have a spring clip ? 6. Can someone recommend me a site that sells maintenance kits ? There are many with varying prices. Many thanks tony Quote
Stephen Posted October 26, 2013 Report Posted October 26, 2013 Tony its not true Nihonto, copy of Quote
ROKUJURO Posted October 26, 2013 Report Posted October 26, 2013 Tony, if you compare this item - my computer refuses to type 'sword' - to some of the original KATANA you can find pictured here on the NMB you can identify it easily as Chinese junk of the lowest level. The TSUKA-ITO is probably some plastic coated textile band, and it is not at all carefully wrapped. All parts of the mounting are far off the originals, and the relatively careful work and precision you can find even on the latest Japanese WW II examples from mass production are some dimensions above this. If you take this loss as a learning experience, you have made a step in a good direction. I would like to encourage you to looking at authentic swords and buying some books on the subject if you are interested to continue. You will find many recommendations here. Quote
tony123 Posted October 28, 2013 Author Report Posted October 28, 2013 What can I say except .... oh s**t !!! I'm just thinking of the beers I could have bought ... anyway I'm not a guy who takes a beating and stays down. I've already go my eyes on a new sword and ... lets see. Many thanks ... and until next time . tony Quote
Jean Posted October 28, 2013 Report Posted October 28, 2013 No Tony, Don't buy anything without posting a picture of the blade on NMB, otherwise you will loose other Quote
ROKUJURO Posted October 28, 2013 Report Posted October 28, 2013 ......I've already go(t) my eyes on a new sword..... Tony, leave it with that - just look, don't buy! The first item was far off the mark which represents the state of your knowledge and experience. I would suggest that you study first - NMB offers many ways to improve your connoiseurship! Should you really be in a hurry to get rid of some excess money buy from a renowned dealer here at NMB. They offer a fair and well based information and good value of the swords sold. They are interested in keeping up their good reputation which may not always be the case with unknown Ebay dealers. Quote
tony123 Posted October 30, 2013 Author Report Posted October 30, 2013 I've got my eyes on the following sword ... real or fake This Is a Japenese Sword Maezashi or Wakizashi in Mountings Tje Blade is Signed 'Iwami no Kami Kunisuke Shinogi Zukuri Shape Edo Period ca 1680 era made blade The Blade is in Old Polish It has a Sharp Ege With no Rust Or Stains In very good condition. The Temper LIne Is Attactive Gunome With nie (chrystal) active Temper Throughout the blade and has a deep temper at the point The Foriging itame hada no foriging flaws at all The Scabbard is urushi lacquered Shows minor laquer loss. The Handle is tight fit with Gold inlay iron fuchi/kashira in to Wrapping shows aged wear .The tsuba is marugata shape iron tsuba with nice patina . It measures 14.5"cutting edge 1" width 5mm thickness at the notch ,And 21.5 in mountings http://imageshack.us/g/1/10375275/ tony Quote
kusunokimasahige Posted October 30, 2013 Report Posted October 30, 2013 Hey Tony, since you opened another post with the same question it might be best to follow that topic KM Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.