Show Us Your High Class Gunto

[Ed Hicks]

Sad how some people take things apart and the parts vanish.

I would sure also get the ashi's made if it was mine.

 

Forgot to say.......fantastic item, wonderful habaki. Looking forward to the blade.

I can't say where the ashi are now or then whenever they were removed. It is possible the saya had a cover of some sort. I can't see removing the ashi for any other reason. And who could make a set for this sword? Ed

[george trotter]

That is nice Ed,

Who is the blade by? (some pics?)

 

I agree about getting the ashi. This type are very plain (see Fuller pp.158-159 'Jap. Mil. & Civ. Swords and Dirks') so should be easy to have made, but also, there must be someone in Japan who has old parts in their shop, Be good to find some and have them re-fitted to the saya. Maybe ChrisB can help there?

 

I'm sure you know, but that mon is of the Maeda family. Since it's on a court sword it probably really was worn by a Maeda at court.

 

Thanks for showing.

[Ed Hicks]

The blade has a kinzogan mei to Mitsuyo and passed the recent Tampa Shinsa with a decent score. I'll try to post better photos soon.

[Julian]

Wowwww you all have really beautiful gunto ,really impressive .... i know my blade its not a high class but i want to share it to you ..sign Munenaga stamp #23 same  date as my birthday  with SEKI stamp ... if someone are able to give me the date that it right on the tang it will be very appreciated thks Have a great day all...sorry for the pictures ..i think i need a traning for that hihihi

[Bruce Pennington]

Julien, very gorgeous Kai-gunto! The picture of the date is a little too dark to make it all out, but what I can see says 1942 (Showa 10 7). Can't quite see the month fully, and don't see a day at all. I can't decipher swordsmith names, but there are other guys here who can very well!

 

The stamps on your seppa are the Toyokawa Naval Arsenal (http://ohmura-study.net/212.html) and the private contractor stamp of Suya Shoten Co, Ltd (http://ohmura-study.net/794.html). Quite unusual to see both of those on the seppa! The number is simply an assembly number stamped on parts to keep them together, since each sword is usually slightly different than the next in size, shape and thickness.

[Julian]

Thks BRUCE

big thks for that info wow.. i love those links you add to your explanation  ...

im gonna take more pics toninght when im back home (im working right now ) hihihihhihi..with more light this time ...sorry for the bad pics

 

all the best my friend

 

I try to play with the light in (paint) not sure if its good but that the final result

 

THKS

[Bruce Pennington]

I can't say where the ashi are now or then whenever they were removed. It is possible the saya had a cover of some sort. I can't see removing the ashi for any other reason. And who could make a set for this sword? Ed

Ed, have you taken a look at Crimson Mist Militaria? They've got some hangers for sale. You might email him if you know some specific measurements to give him. http://www.cmmilitaryantiques.com/search.php?pcat=10

[MAXBLISS888]

????

[Johnny Barracuda]

I can't say where the ashi are now or then whenever they were removed. It is possible the saya had a cover of some sort. I can't see removing the ashi for any other reason. And who could make a set for this sword? Ed

 

Wow, very impressive! What a jewel for a gunto collection!

 

As for the ashi, I know that in Japan some sword makers produce replica kai-gunto ashi with proper gilt (unlike the crap from China). Those could be fitting.

[reeder]

Guess I'll try to keep it going. ive seen better and I've seen worse, but I like it. Blade is older mumei, Nagasa about 24". Has remnants of a surrender tag taped to the spine of the tsuka.

[lonely panet]

bump, can anyone post some pics of more high class gunto like a admirals flag sword, marshals sword, imperial gift yasukuni-to ETC

[Johnny Barracuda]

Hamish,

 

To fulfil your request, one actually needs to own such a sword!

 

I have a Type 19 company grade cavalry officer sword with a mumei Meiji gendaito blade coming my way. The combat sword, not the parade one. I have been spoilt by family and friends for my 40th birthday.

 

It is not very high class but it is very rare. Will post pics when it arrives.

[raaay]

This has been posted before , but worth another go.

[lonely panet]

that's a very fine looking gunto, the mounts look very simular to the type 94. who made the blade, is a very pleasing piece to look at. can you post some more?

 

Thibault, im also waiting for your Kyu.

[Johnny Barracuda]

Due to the colour and finish of the saya, I think might be indeed a Type 94, with the second removable ashi removed. Or at least an early Type 98. A nice shin-gunto from what is to my opinion the best period, i.e. pre-WWII. Later mountings, due to circumstances, could not retain such refinement and quality. Nearly as good as Meiji era kyu-gunto!

 

Being completely ignorant at kanji, I would also be interested if one of our learned colleagues could take the time to translate the mei.

[vajo]

Ray thats a beautifull piece!

It looks like it comes directly out of the Ohmura Study website.

 

[raaay]

Hi as requested a little more info on my sword,

 

 

This Shin-Gunto was taken from a w w 2 sword surrender in  Singapore by a British Army Officer , who related the storey to the chap I acquired it from,

and  said he looked through  a whole load of swords on the day and picked up what he thought was the best he could find .

 

 

I cant remember the whole signature from memory but it is something like made in Tokyo at the Hachi-Man  Shrine by Naostugu  ( Gendai-to smith )

 

I have seen this smith mentioned  a couple times in the past, but there is very little info that I have found out about him !  

 

 

The  mounts  are  IMHO high grade,  maybe special order shin-gunto mounts  with silver mon  with a same covered lacquered saya and comes with its original sword bag  and original sword belt  hanger and colonel's or high ranking field officers tassel .

 

and if I remember correctly purchased from the Officer  in  a  about  1970.  for £11.00  - not by me unfortunately .

[Johncstroud]

Nice thread hambutt!

[Johnny Barracuda]

@Ray: great piece, I concur on the fact that the mounting was a special high-end order (same-covered saya is a good clue). As previously said, almost certainly pre-war. Upon examining the saya, do you notice faint traces of a second ashi, that would make it a Type 94?

 

@Reeder: nice kyu-gunto, quite similar to mine, but with a better blade.

 

@Hamish: I will receive the cavalry sword in a few days, as it was sent today from Japan. When I receive it, I will make and post pictures of my three Meiji era officer swords: Type 19 Army kyu-gunto, Type 1883 Navy kyu-gunto, Type 19 Cavalry officer sword. The main three variants of the "kyu-gunto family".

[lonely panet]

cool johny, I cant wait.

the exchange rate in Australia at this time makes it almost impracticable to buy at the moment, so I will just have to live out my fantasy through the board.

[raaay]

Hi Thibault

 

just to confirm this Shin-Gunto  has always had a single Ashi only. 

 

regards ,

[Johnny Barracuda]

So a Type 98, and a very nice one!

[Geraint]

Dear All.

 

Just one to share, mumei blade, Meiji I think but Kogarasumaru sugata, rather slim and elegant.  Enjoy!

[lonely panet]

very nice, whats the hada and hamon like

[Johnny Barracuda]

Geraint, very nice and elegant blade, and I think that a Kogarasumaru blade mounted as a one-handed kyu-gunto is rather unusual. I like it.

[Johnny Barracuda]

The cavalry sword has arrived, here is a first batch of pictures of the "kyu-gunto family".

 

All three bear family mon:

 

- 1886 Army company grade officer kyu-gunto: Hachisuka [swastika] (with unidentified arsenal blade)

 

- 1883 Navy kyu-gunto: Matsunaga [floral five-leaves pattern] (with Naohiro Taisho stamp arsenal blade)

 

- 1886 Type 19 cavalry officer company grade sword: Kobayakawa [triskell-like pattern] (with mumei Meiji era traditional blade)

[hxv]

Greetings,

 

I would like to share with you my humble gunto (not high-class, but very presentable) by Akihisa.

 

Warmest Regards,

Hoanh

 

[IJASWORDS]

Hi Hamfish, thanks for the opportunity to see some NICE Gunto. Thought I would pick a couple of mine to post. Old family blades, silver mons and original tassels. Hope you like these as much as I have liked all the ones that have been posted. Neil.

[Shamsy]

The 94 is a lovely example! I've seen very few for sale and I remember that the last one posted on NMB and ebay sold before I could blink. To China, hopefully a collector. Love the curvature of the tsuka on the second sword! Would be good to get it in hand and see how it feels. It doesn't look very comfortable, but I guess you might be able to comment on that Neil?

[IJASWORDS]

Hi Shamsy, the general sword is a SEKI/MINO UJIFUSA OWARI blade, and is one of the loveliest balanced blades I have. Neil.