Custom Kyu Gunto or Export Sword?

[ribendao]

I saw this Kyu Gunto for sale on an auction. I looked through Dawson's book and couldn't find any thing that really matched. Closest thing I could think of is a custom sword. Also considering the possibility it could be a Suya export. What do you guys think?

 

[Bruce Pennington]

Jonathan,

Seems the Field grade kyu on page 79 is yours. 

[ribendao]

Yeah I think you might be right Bruce. I did notice this one seemed the closest but the floral pattern was a little different. I guess there are variations on these floral patterns just like there are on those type 19 dress swords. 

Thanks for the reply. 

[PNSSHOGUN]

Suspect this is a replica, the blade is of poor quality and the handle and metal parts are not cast & finished to the usual high standards.

[ribendao]

If it's a replica its a darn good one. I did notice it had a brass screw instead of the bamboo menuki stated in Dawson's book.

[Dave R]

Another of those, is it ain't it swords. Reverse image search didn't turn up any results, so you pays yer money and you take the risk.

[Dave R]

41 minutes ago, ribendao said:

If it's a replica its a darn good one. I did notice it had a brass screw instead of the bamboo menuki stated in Dawson's book.

 

 That can have been added any time in the last 80 years.

 

[ChrisW]

The top retaining brass screw that hooks together the fuchi and the backstrap on yours seems to look more like a rivet than an actual screw as it lacks the slot on the head that all other screws I've seen have. Perhaps a replacement or a  sign its a cast piece?

[ChrisW]

I looked at a Kyu model backstrap in-hand that is the same in Dawsons and I can almost guarantee that this one is a modern replica that has been artificially aged up and matched with a blade (won't make a judgement call on the blade itself). The real backstrap has far greater detail than the one you're showing us and the backstrap screw is indeed a flathead screw. This one looks like a cast of a recast and almost featureless by comparison. Real ones have a lot of depth to their fittings. Even with a heavily-worn one, there would be areas where the high-detail should be visible, but instead we're left looking at a disturbingly uniform wear pattern that doesn't make sense. The seppa also look off to me on second-look as well.