Kai Gunto

[EdWolf]

Hi to all,

Today, I have bought my second Kai Gunto sword. Marked Tenshozan tanrenjo saku, showa 15 nen 11 gatsu kichi (1940 November, a lucky day). It's in perfect condiction. Just to share my excitement. Here are the pictures. Hope you all like it. Feel free to comment.

Best regards,

Ed

[EdWolf]

and some more pictures.

 

Best regards,

Ed

[Geraint]

Dear Ed,

 

Thank you for sharing both your sword and your excitement.

 

I'd be pleased with that one.

 

All the best.

[Bruce Pennington]

Gorgeous, Ed! I'm guessing that's eel skin on the saya? Beautiful!

 

I see there's no Navy Arsenal stamp. I've read that prior to 1940, the compliance with the requirement for stamps was a bit spotty. Unless, ths was a gendaito, but the nakago looks too clean for that.

[EdWolf]

Hi Bruce, there is indeed no navy arsenal stamp. I don't know if it is gendaito. Don't know how to determine.

Best regards, Ed

[Stephen]

We have pages on Tenshozan tanrenjo  do a search here, its a spl steel. 

[EdWolf]

I will do a search. Thanks for your reply Stephen.

Regards, Ed

[IJASWORDS]

Hi Ed, nice KAI GUNTO. Is the blade made from the "rust proof steel" or stainless steel? They are very interesting examples. Neil.

[EdWolf]

Hi Neil,

I'm not sure if the blade is made of stainless steel. It looks stainless but I can't explain the black stains. My other Kai gunto is made of stainless steel and doesn't show the black stains.

Regards, Ed

[Stephen]

http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/3548-takayama-prison-sword-mei/page-2?hl=+navy%20+forge

 

http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/522-translation-help/

[IJASWORDS]

Hi Ed, is it possible to take a clear photo of HAMON? That will help identify steel, if it is quenched, etched or mechanically applied. Neil.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Very nice example, Ed. Odd there are no stamps as it is clearly some sort of stainless steel.

[Shamsy]

My stainless kai had similar spots on otherwise perfect steel. It is rust resistant, not proof, after all. I assumed it was just ‘worse’ areas.

[EdWolf]

This blade is made of some stainless steel, the structure of the steel is totally different when compared to a traditional made sword. I was a confused by the black spots and the absence of a stamp. As Bruce already mentioned “prior to 1940, the compliance with the requirement for stamps was a bit spotty”. Steve, thanks for mentioning that your blade had similar spots!

 

I will post better quality pictures soon. I was too excited and could not wait to share this find. So, I used my phone for taking pictures.

Thanks for all the replies!

 

Regards,

Ed

[paul griff]

Hello Ed,

Very nice sword..Saya and tsuka- ito in beautiful condition...Well done..

Regards,

Paul.

[EdWolf]

Thanks Paul for the kind words. I will try to catch the beauty of the sword in some good pictures. In real it such a nice piece.

Regards, Ed

[EdWolf]

As promised some higher quality pictures.

 

Regards, Ed

[EdWolf]

And some photos with the other Kai Gunto.

 

Regards, Ed

 

[Kai-Gunto]

Not ell skin on saya , buy shark skin

[IJASWORDS]

Really good photos of really good KAI's. NICE!

[Shamsy]

A handsome looking pair! Nicely preserved and of course the skin on saya is always better than lacquered. Were I still collecting officer swords I'd be jealous!

[PNSSHOGUN]

I think the hamon is etched on, consistent with Anti-rust blades. Very nice example.

[EdWolf]

Thanks for all the positive feedback!

Best regards, Ed

[Stephen]

Lucky man, always wanted a clean KG, even more so the brown lacquer skin.  Id have to have in hand to call the acid etch. Might have just been  hadori by togi. 

[EdWolf]

Hi Stephen,

I'm indeed a lucky man. It's a real joy to watch this swords next to each other. You're right about the brown colored shark skin. It is very attractive.

Best regards, Ed