Rookie question

[Jefferson]

I received my gunto yesterday via fedex. First lesson learned, buy from a reputable seller or do a detailed visual inspection in person before buying. My first of many questions is how is the tsuka held to the nakago (tang)? I don't see a hole in the tsuka for a mekugi. I did find an arsenal stamp. Thanks in advance for the help.

Kind regards,

Jeff

[ChrisW]

It is likely covered by the tsuka-ito (the silk grip covering). As for what I can see, it looks okay, looks like your typical wartime showato. More knowledgeable members will ring in soon I am sure.

[Bruce Pennington]

Hi Jeff,

You've got a Contingency Model of the officer Type 98 gunto. Often refered to by collectors as the Type 3. You will lately see more and more calling it the Rinji-seishiki model (which is simply the Japanese words for contengency, or temporary, model). Long intro, but this wasn't an "official" model or Type. It was designed to test simpler fittings that could withstand the rigors of combat a bit better than the standard Type 98 fittings. It was also intended to be cheaper. Officers had to buy their own swords.

 

Like Chris said, the ito (wrap) has shifted and covered the holes. I've attached a photo of one of mine so you can see where to look. It won't hurt anything to lightly move the wrap up and down, here and there, till you find them. Most Rinji models used a metal screw in the hole nearest the tsuba and a mekugi in the upper hole.

 

I'm sure I speak for everyone here - PLEASE give us some full pics of the nakago (both sides) and blade! We have addictions that need their fix and the forum has been a bit slow lately. I've been starting to get the shakes!

{Note to Brian - this could move to the Military forum}

[Dave R]

 From the photo's posted, you have a perfectly decent later war Officers Shin Gunto. The Ito has bust which is a pity but not a tragedy, and explains why it has shifted to hide the Mekugi-ana. The fastenings on these vary a lot, so careful investigation is needed.

 

 The stamp is the "Sho" stamp which means that it was judged to be non traditional in some way, a term which covers a lot of ground.

 

I think you did OK, would you be up for posting the vendors pics so we can see the difference?

 

Meanwhile have a look here to see some of the variations possible. This is an old site, so some of the terms and information is considered to be a bit out of date, but still well worth a look.

 

http://ohmura-study.net/952.html

[dwmc]

Dave R, is the stamp perhaps a Chimata or Gifu as opposed to a " Showa"?  Although a bit confusing being slightly tilted from normal position...

 

Dave M.

[Jefferson]

Thanks Everyone!

I figured like Chris W. that the tsuka-ito was just covering the holes.  Today I disproved this theory. Where I expected to find holes, I only found small indentations

in the plastic ray skin panels. I will attach photos of these.  They seem to be in the proper location for holes. The Fuchi shows age and has a broken latch for it.

The Kashira also shows age and has a stipple pattern with a slight border.. Hope the photos help.  Please let me know what you think about "no holes".

 

Best regards,

 

Jeff

[Bruce Pennington]

Well now ....... after seeing the close-ups of the ito, it doesn't look like it was ever held/carried.  I'm starting to think this tsuka was a Type 98, and someone has started to covert it to a Rinji tsuka, and they didn't finish the job.  I'm thinking the wrap-job is just a Bubba-job.

[Dave R]

 Looking odd, and looking interesting. We are now doing down the learning curve helter skelter.

[Bruce Pennington]

Neil (IJASWORDS), I believe, has a tsuka that appears original that has no mekugi ana. But I don't think it came on a blade.

[IJASWORDS]

No all mine have holes. I suspect the sword holes here are covered by the damaged ito. Top and bottom holes. 

[Dave R]

Well now ....... after seeing the close-ups of the ito, it doesn't look like it was ever held/carried.  I'm starting to think this tsuka was a Type 98, and someone has started to covert it to a Rinji tsuka, and they didn't finish the job.  I'm thinking the wrap-job is just a Bubba-job.

 

 

I think you may very well be right. The metal parts are OK, so I think we are looking at an abandoned repair using new wood and Same.

There might be holes under the Same and given the state of the Ito it might as well be stripped off so we can get a better look at what is there.

[Bruce Pennington]

Jeff,

Could we get pictures of both sides of the nakago (tang)?  I'd like to add your blade to my stamp survey.