Robertex Posted April 21, 2015 Report Posted April 21, 2015 A friend stumbled across and purchased a GI gunto bring-back while at a private bonsai sale and asked me to help with its identification. I'm a bit rusty (no pun intended) on Nihonto and know absolutely nothing about WWII gunto. I did examine the nakago and it is mumei; however, there are superficial markings on it that I have never seen and am assuming it is peculiar to WWII gunto. My friend is taking photos now of the sword and I would like to ask this esteemed following about what areas he should concentrate on other than length, hamon, boshi, nakago, and general koshirae. The sword is in immaculate condition and my friend trying to establish contact with the veteran who is in a local VA regarding its provenance. Many thanks in advance! Quote
Mark Posted April 21, 2015 Report Posted April 21, 2015 Carl if the pictures are clear I am sure some of us can offer opinions Quote
Robertex Posted April 21, 2015 Author Report Posted April 21, 2015 Mark, Attached is what he has sent so far. I've asked for a photo of the nakago with the painted markings and will post as soon as he provides it. The blade measures 26.25" (60.96cm). Quote
Brian Posted April 21, 2015 Report Posted April 21, 2015 Looks good so far. I was prepared for it to be a fake or an arsenal blade, but looks like it has a chance of being a Gendaito or even an earlier blade. However the painted marks are usually arsenal/rack numbers, so if you are lucky it is a nice Gendai sword. Nice looking hamon that could still be oil quenched, but has more going on than usual, along with signs that it had a kesho polish. Not too bad at all.. Brian Quote
Robertex Posted April 21, 2015 Author Report Posted April 21, 2015 Brian, Many thanks for your response. Realizing one can examine Nihonto only so much through photos, is there any area in particular to photograph in order to narrow it down to a Gendaito? I've asked my friend to photograph the paint on the nakago, which may be difficult because I remember it being very faint. Quote
hxv Posted April 21, 2015 Report Posted April 21, 2015 On 4/21/2015 at 6:26 PM, Robertex said: Brian, Many thanks for your response. Realizing one can examine Nihonto only so much through photos, is there any area in particular to photograph in order to narrow it down to a Gendaito? I've asked my friend to photograph the paint on the nakago, which may be difficult because I remember it being very faint. Carl,A straight-on picture of the cutting edge in the area under the habaki will help. If the cutting edge in this area has not been polished (dull), then there is a good chance the sword is a newer sword (WWII era). Also, a picture of both sides of the nakago to show any kind of marking and to show the patina will help. Regards, Hoanh Quote
SwordGuyJoe Posted April 21, 2015 Report Posted April 21, 2015 It would be nice to see the entire nakago as well. This reminds me a lot of a few Kanetoshi swords I've seen as well as Kanehide - though the boshi really doesn't. Either way, looks pretty nice, but could be Shinshinto - the nakago would be helpful in telling. Edit: I didn't see hoanh's request. Sorry for doubling up. Quote
Robertex Posted April 22, 2015 Author Report Posted April 22, 2015 As requested, I just received the following photos. I recall the painted characters on the nakago were difficult to see in person and the photos appear just as elusive. The second set of photographs are the same except one is filtered in an attempt to pick out the polish extending beneath the habaki. My friend says that the polish extends about 1/4" past the habaki line (the green crud). I can't thank you enough for the generous responses in evaluating this blade. It has certainly been a learning experience for me so far. Quote
Mark Posted April 22, 2015 Report Posted April 22, 2015 paint is assembly numbers, the close up of the temper looks like oil temper so nice Showato Quote
lonely panet Posted April 22, 2015 Report Posted April 22, 2015 Im with mark, the dark points at the peaks of tha hamon are a good indicator of oil tempered regards H Quote
Robertex Posted April 22, 2015 Author Report Posted April 22, 2015 Thanks, gents! I gather that this particular blade is Showa and not Gendai (nice example Hamish!). Mark, do the assembly marks refer to the part, assembler, or plant? (You can tell I'm really out of my element here.) Lastly, should my friend look over the blade and koshirae for particular arsenal marks? Again, many thanks for the expert information and advice! Quote
reeder Posted April 22, 2015 Report Posted April 22, 2015 The painted assembly numbers should match the numbers on the fittings. Quote
Robertex Posted April 22, 2015 Author Report Posted April 22, 2015 Thanks, Brandon. I mentioned this to my friend who is reading the painted number as "1013" while all other numbers on the koshirae read "12". Is he perhaps reading the nakago incorrectly? Quote
Stephen Posted April 22, 2015 Report Posted April 22, 2015 I dont see the dark peaks on ORG blade Quote
lonely panet Posted April 23, 2015 Report Posted April 23, 2015 Hi Steve, the pics are smaller but iv done this to point the dark peaks out the original pic is of a NAGAMURA KIYONOBU showato, and iv done a close up of the peak. Quote
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