Kyu-Gunto Opinion And Translation Request

[zook]

Gents -  I humbly request a translation on this tang.  This field grade Kyu-Gunto is for sale and I am mulling it over carefully.  

I am surprised at how short the tang is.   I appreciate your thoughts and opinions.   

 

Dan 

[Grey Doffin]

Bizen Kuni no Ju Osafune Sukesada saku

Grey

[Ray Singer]

I would add to Grey's comment that the nakago is severely compromised due to having been ground down to fit the kyu-gunto koshirae. This damage looks very recent to my eyes.

 

I separately have doubts about the mei, however even if the mei is authentic this type of damage (and the idea that a non-related blade may have been forced into this koshirae) should be a deterrent.

[Bruce Pennington]

It’s not being sold by Showa22, by chance?

[zook]

Thanks Grey and Ray for quick response, and great points!!!  -    I'll avoid. 
Bruce -  no, not showa22, but I can't help notice that the seller may have leveraged (used) some of showa's language in describing Kyū-Guntō.  

Here is link:  

https://www.ebay.com/itm/WWII-K49-Japanese-MEIJI-ARMY-OFFICERS-GUNTO-SWORD-SAMURAI-HAND-FORGED/153338700401?hash=item23b3b2e271:g:3osAAOSw6CRcO39p:rk:21:pf:0

 

The seller seems to focus on general estate/antique sales .. so perhaps not necessarily openly trying to deceive, but who knows.  

 

Thank you again guys - great learning experience. 

Dan 

[lonely panet]

its a complete s**t job, 

 

no seppa, the habaki is home made and like the others pointed out a shocking display of butchey on the nakago,  too fit the mounts.

 

cut off the hands who did this. because they are just chasing money and destroying history.

 

not evan worth $250....

[ChrisW]

Yup.. a very shady put-together job. Makes me cringe to think what that blade would have been worth were it not grinded down to fit.

[Dave R]

 It gets worse. I think the mounts are modern, as in replica, and a genuine blade ground to fit.

[lonely panet]

no, there 100% genuine mounts. the modern mounts have a very differant apperance. 

 

first and formost give away is that nobody has managed to copy the wire binding in the tsuka correctly

[zook]

Gents - 

I am still learning and navigating the Kyu-Gunto minefield and appreciate the above commentary.   Another Type 19 (field grade) just popped onto the Bay and I am sharing the link.  The nakago looks better than the previous.   The noted gap between the guard and habaki is perplexing to me ... you think it's yet another example of a put-together?   thanks -  Dan 

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/PRE-WWII-Japanese-ARMY-FIELD-GRADE-OFFICER-TYPE-19-KYU-GUNTO-COMBAT-SWORD/202584416729?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055359.m1431.l2649

[Bruce Pennington]

I'm no Type 19 expert, but it sure looks nice to me!

[PNSSHOGUN]

It's difficult to say for sure because it's not uncommon for the Nakago on Kyu Gunto to be horribly reshaped & altered. The mounts do look nice on that one with the less common sharkskin grip.

[lonely panet]

It's nothing special, blade doesn't appear to fit the tsuka. Screw instead of correct mekugi.

 

Suspect nakago on sword. Avoid imho

[ChrisW]

That nakago is definitely strange.. there's almost a washer-like ring on the first mekugi-ana, as if done by a modern machine and the patina seems a bit off.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Any value is in the mounts, view the blade as a fancy Tsunagi.

[zook]

Guys -  thanks for all the feedback and the education!  I appreciate it and will avoid.  Dan