Information, Please.

[Collision01]

Hi, new to the forum. I'm Tom from NC. I would like information on what would be the best books to obtain for reference material on the topic. Second, if you will, please take a look at this supposed Shin Gunto. Any information would be appreciated. I know that the Tsuba is not correct, and the Saya may be a reproduction.

I have a the photos here :http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/Collision01/slideshow/Shin%20Gunto

hope they are enough, if not, please let me know.

Thank you in advance.

Tom in NC

[SwordGuyJoe]

Do a little searching on the board. The book topic has been discussed dozens of times. The sword is Japanese as are the mounts. Better pics could tell traditional or not but I'm leaning towards not. Still Japanese, just not made traditionally. Google showato vs gendaito for more information on the difference.

[SteveM]

If you are interested in military swords, Fuller & Gregory's is often mentioned as an essential reference. I am not as optimistic about the sword and mounts as Joe is. The sword might be Japanese, but even as a WW2 sword, it has been damaged by a crappy polishing job, which makes the whole prospect rather uninteresting. Its not good enough to restore, not to my mind anyway. If it came with a pristine set of mounts I would think differently, but considering the volume of decent WW2 swords out there, I would not spend much time on this one. (I'm wondering about the tsuka...almost looks like it is covered in fish scales instead of same/ray skin.)

[Grey Doffin]

Probably the best choice for a book on Military swords is Dawson's Swords of Imperial Japan 1868 - 1945 Cyclopedia Edition.  Another good choice is Japanese Military and Civil Swords and Dirks by Fuller & Gregory but this is more expensive usually.  Both are on my website if you'd like to see what they're about.

Grey

[Bruce Pennington]

I have benefitted greatly from both books mentioned above as well as from The Ohmura Study, online at: http://ohmura-study.net/900.html Each of them brings unique and valuable knowledge and I refer to them often.

[ROKUJURO]

Tom,

the TSUBA is a genuine one. The whole looks a bit assembled, as the mounts are from different times and sources. The brass HABAKI is probably a later addition, the TSUKA looks like military, as does the SAYA. It is difficult to state something substantial on the blade. I have the impression that the blade is sharpened down to the HABAKI, so there is a slim chance that it might be a pre-war one, but the condition of the blade will make any judgement difficult, even with better photos.

If possible, show the blade to an expert or a NIHONTO club near you.

[Collision01]

Thank you to all that have been gracious with information at this point, I will look into the books mentioned. The Same does not look like rayskin or shark skin, I'm at a loss on this one right now. I'm trying to match it up with photos of snake skin and fish.

[Stephen]

id go with snake, remember its very old and starting to deteriorate 

[Collision01]

Stephen, The more I look at it, the more I agree with you. I will have two books on the way Monday, big thanks to Grey and a thanks to Bruce for the wed sight info.