I'm guessing this is a gunto

[Andrew S]

This is my first post here - I was recommended this site on another forum.

 

Anyway, an aquaintaince in Australia was showing me his collection of millitaria, which included 3 Japanese swords. Even I could tell that two of them were gunto by the blade and fittings.

The third seemed a little different. I'm guessing that it is a gunto too, but here are some pictures I took, hoping someone could confirm (or even better, deny!) my suspicions.

 

 

 

At the time I took this, I wasn't aware that gunto had tang marks. On closer inspection the tang marks seem to be machine cut, and that mark by the menuki looks like a stamp.

 

Any information would be appreciated.

[hxv]

Andrew,

 

It's a Showato (see the Showa stamp between the mekugi ana and the first kanji). Machine made, but Japanese!

 

Hoanh

[Andrew S]

Thanks for the quick reply!

[Peter Bleed]

Indeed, I agree that this is a gunto. It seems to have a poorly struck Cherry-blossom "Sho(wa) Stamp. The signature is poorly cut too, but I read it as "Seki-ju Kanesada."

Peter

[Brian]

The tang marks are still hand-cut..they are never machine cut. But yes, it's a Showato.

 

Brian

[Andrew S]

Thanks for all your replies.

I can sleep with a clear conscience - the owner was polishing the blades himself!