Just Bought What I Believe Is A Kyu Gunto Need Id Help

[T14]

I recently bought what I believe is a kyu gunto also called murata-to for $148 shipped in quite decent condition with what seller said is sharp blade and no rust. It does not have the typical wraparound handle like other kyu gunto. Need help to ID sword model and time of manufacture?

[dirk marshall]

I think this is a police sword and not a kyu gunto

[Mark]

i am not positive but it looks like a Chinese copy

[lonely panet]

sorry but 100% chinese junk, blade and habaki are big giveaways

[Bruce Pennington]

There were a few swords in that style. We need better pics of the handle, especially the stamp the side, end cap, blackstrap, and scabbard tip.

[SwordGuyJoe]

Sorry but Chinese.

[hxv]

1. When a seller says a sword is "sharp," I would stay away. He has nothing else to say besides "sharp." Heck, a kitchen knife is sharp.

2. When a seller mentions "ox hide," I run away - Chinese fake 100% of the times.

3. When the shipping is $199.99 and the sword is sold for $200, I stay away.

 

Just remember that ebay is a place where market value is established almost instantly by a large number of people I always assume to be more knowledgeable than I. If a seemingly great item languishes around at a great price, I stay away. These simple rules have helped me thus far.

 

Hoanh

[Dave R]

 It is meant to be, and possibly is a Japanese naval shore patrol sword....  http://www.stewartsmilitaryantiques.com/Japanese-navy-police-officialshore-patrol-sword.21909.archive.htm

[SwordGuyJoe]

Serial numbers on habaki = fake

[Kai-Gunto]

Junk china sword

[Bruce Pennington]

Alec, if you're still following, sure could use those pics I asked about earlier! there is a blade like this in F & G, (I'm on the road and don't have it on me right now), but without close-ups of the stamp on the side of the handle, the tip of the scabbard, and the back and end of the handle, it's not possible to tell (I'm a rookie at this. Several of these guys are veteran collectors and may be right, but I'd like to see some focused close-ups).

[Kai-Gunto]

There is one alike in G & F's book , but this is a classic fake thats been sold on ebay the last 5 years.

[Kai-Gunto]

It is meant to be, and possibly is a Japanese naval shore patrol sword....  http://www.stewartsmilitaryantiques.com/Japanese-navy-police-officialshore-patrol-sword.21909.archive.htm

Its not shore patrol , but a fake of a sword from occupied contries.

[Johnny Barracuda]

Indeed a fake Chinese copy of a colonial police sword. Even without close-up pictures, the metalwork on the handle, the habaki and the scabbard is a dreadful pretense of noble patina.

 

What is more, the shape of the blade is "interesting".

 

Also, a Murata-to on a colonial police sword, which is a rather late pattern of the Meiji-type swords, while not impossible, would likely be anachronisitic, since actual Murata-to were the early incarnation of non-traditional swords and were mainly produced for the Army.