Gunto Fittings

[Bruno]

Hi guys,

 

I am looking for this set of civilian gunto fittings, tsuba and/or fuchi kashira. 

 

Thanks!

[IJASWORDS]

Hi Bruno, I collect GUNTO swords and fittings, and I have some of the TSUBA in your photo. I didn't know till I saw your photo, that a matching fuchi/kashira set was made in this pattern.

Do you know any thing about who made these, what were they made for, and how many were made?

I have seen many TSUBA but never the F/K set. So at least thankyou for the nice photo. Neil.

[IJASWORDS]

Hi Bruno, mine is not so shiny. Neil.

[Bruno]

Hi Neil,

 

Well in fact I can't tell for sure they are stricto sensu "gunto fittings". I have read that they are gunsoku fittings, for civilian under military contract. They were mounted on classic koshirae, often with a leather cover.

 

I also read they were iai-to fittings from the Showa era, re-issued for the war.

 

I don't think the IJA made them like they made the classic Type 98/94 gunto tsuba.

 

All it seems to be sure is that they are from the Showa era. 

 

I'd like to get this set for a future project, mounting a gendaito koshirae with matching era fittings. 

 

Bruno

[Bruno]

Neil,

 

There were also 2 other patterns though once again they may not be real gunto fittings but just showa. One sometimes seen is the bamboo pattern and also but rarer the shell pattern.