Kyu gunto with unusual scabard

[Ben123]

I recently bought this nice kyu gunto with what seems to be an old handmade blade in it.

When I did my reserche on kyu gunto's, I never saw this kind of scabard. It's painted black and look like it's missing a piece at the end. Anyone know what it is? Maybe a late version, a shin gunto scabard or is it custom made? 
Any help on the subject would help.

I will probably buy another scabard and handle because they have a lot of wear and I prefer how the normal scarbard look.(If somone as a extra one DM me)

[Ben123]

It look like a piece would go at the end of the scarbard and is missing.

+ if anyone know Japanese a translation would be nice

[lonely panet]

well if the blade is longer then normal, it may have had a cheaper bur functional scabbad like you seen here being made for it.

 

but dont discount the tsuka being swapped out for a D gouad.

 

does every thing fit correctly??,  if so i would say its original and the foul weather leather cover has just be removed anf its orginal.

 

PS the blade appears koto,  maybe NORIMITSU bizen????

[DTM72]

The painted black saya on the kyugunto were covered in leather combat covers. The nicer looking chrome plated versions were more for parades and higher ranking officers. Some chrome plated versions also had the leather covers as well.

[Bruce Pennington]

Hamish and Dan have hit all the main points.  As long as the fit is good, I would assume the fittings are original to the sword. Or I should say, they are the original wartime refit for the sword, which was an older family sword originally. The leather cover, which would have been on it has gone missing, which is quite often the case with these kinds of scabbards.

[Ben123]

Exept missing 1 seppa, the fit is perfect.
Thanks I might try to find a leather cover for it.
Anyway now i'l try to find more about the blade

[Bridges]

That’s a beautiful type 19 company grade kyu-gunto Ben. This was a transitional type between the type 8 and type 19. Did you source this locally or online?

[Ben123]

Online on Ebay. It's not easy to find a nice kyu not overprice but I'm satified with what i got.

[Bridges]

Hey @Ben123, last question I have for you. What did the seller list your gunto as? I’m asking as there is some heavy variation from eBay sellers listing these swords under varying titles.

[Ben123]

It was list as "OLD Japanese Officer Sword KATANA SWORD"

 There is not a lot of kyu gunto's for sale online and most of them are overprice.
Try variation like "Japanese ww1 officer sword", "Japanese officer sword" "russo Japanese war sword" 
I suggest you look in auction site and ebay. ( I was lucky because mine as a old sword so now I just need to find a nicer scabard)

[Bridges]

Ben, seems like we are birds of a feather. I search the same titles haha congratulations on finding a gem

[Ben123]

Yeah I looked hard for it.
I'm glad to know another kyu enjoyer. 
I pray for you to find the sword your loooking for. 

[Bruce Pennington]

When you do, be sure to add them to the Kyu Corner thread!

 

Happy hunting!