Nice GI grouping

[AlexS]

Hi guys,

 

Don't know if anyone here got this grouping but it seems like two quality pieces. Just started my journey in learning about this subject- but to me it looks like a type 94 with a rarer pattern "rising sun" tsuba. Also the blade looks very nice. 

 

What do you experienced collectors think, can one tell from these images the quality of the blade?

 

Link to items:

https://www.ss-steel-inc.com/product/outstanding-Japanese-naval-sword-katana-grouping/

 

Best regards

Alex

[AlexS]

Saw now that it is of course a kai gunto.. geez I really need to read more on this subject. Anyways still interested if anyone has opinions on the blade quality:)

 

Best

Alex

[Geraint]

Dear Alex.

 

It is, as you say, a kaigunto with the more desirable saya.  It is not possible to say very much about this blade except that it is in a state that suggests a questionable polish.  The kissaki looks quite long which does not usually support his suggestion that it's a standard blade.  This is clearly not an area that the seller knows much about so it would be a gamble.

 

All the best.

[AlexS]

Thank you very much for your thoughts! Ok so from the images it might suggest an older blade but in a so-so polish? No he specializes and is probably one of the best in the field of ss helmets- thats why I wanted you guys opinion. Either way it is already sold but looked nice and therefore I was curios what quality the lot actually had:)

 

Best regards

Alex

[Bruce Pennington]

I'd put the 2 gunto at $2,500, so the rest for the memorabilia?  I don't shop in the other areas, so I couldn't speak to that.

 

The kaigunto is a bit worn with gold guilding worn in many places; the tsuka in worn condition.  I'm not a nihonto guy, but the blade seems to have 2 or 3 big flaws (kizu?), but an interesting hamon.  The polish is likely the WWII polish, and so the blade would look quite nicer with a modern one.  But most of this is above my pay-grade.

[AlexS]

Ok! Then it sounds like quite a price for provenance..

 

Interesting! Where are the big flaws located on the blade? Haha and I am just an unpaid intern in this comparison- didn't even see the flaws..

 

But such an interesting collecting field. In here every day atm trying to read up!:)

 

Best regards

Alex

 

 

[Bruce Pennington]

I could be wrong.  They may be black stains, often seen on blades, or sometimes reflections in photos can cause false images.  But this is what I was talking about.  The photos really are too low dpi to see clearly.

 

[AlexS]

Thank you for clarifying Bruce!

 

Best regards

Alex