Need some help on this shin gunto

[Lennon]

Hey thanks for all the help last time you guys. I have recently acquired another shin gunto from my great grand father luckily the mekugi is still intact I was able to remove it but there is a giant screw in the tsuka any thoughts on why or how to get it off?

[Matsunoki]

An image or two would help🙂

[Lennon]

I’m sick at the moment can barley stand I will take a pic when I’m better

[vajo]

Sounds like a type3 gunto.

[Lennon]

At the moment I have these photos if you need a more specific image just let me know please!

[Lennon]

I think it’s a type 44 but I’m not sure

[Lennon]

I actually have to shin Gunto I’ve been trying to figure out who forged it and the details of the sword the name in the tang is yoshida but there where a few yoshidas during that period so I’m not really sure any thoughts?

[David Flynn]

Please show as many photos as possible.    You wont get much info on just one photo of a screw.

[Bruce Pennington]

Yes, that's a Contingency model of the Type 98, or Rinji Seishiki (Or Type 3, Type 100, Naval Landing sword, Type 44, etc).

 

You should be able to simply unscrew the screw.  If it doesn't budge, try turning the oposite direction.  I haven't run into it personally, but I have read that some WWII screws were reverse threaded.

[Lennon]

Hey everybody I’m sorry for not responding for so long I’ve been very busy recently thanks for the knowledge you have provided me with it seems that the screw is still not coming off any ideas? 

[Lennon]

Also I’ve been wondering how do I determine if a sword is made of tamahagane?

[ROKUJURO]

13 minutes ago, Lennon said:

..... how do I determine if a sword is made of tamahagane?

You can't unless you have some experience with these blades. In case you see a HAMON (done by quenching in water) and HADA, there is a good chance that a blade is made wirh TAMAHAGANE. But there are more signs, so you have to train your eyes. Fakers are getting better!

[Bruce Pennington]

Does the screw not turn at all, or does it spin without coming out?

[Lennon]

The screw turns but it’s not coming out any idea's?

[Scogg]

If it's spinning in place, then it might simply "pull-out"

Don't go yanking on anything though. Try gently pulling on it, and see if it has any give.
What does the other side of the screw look like? You might have to secure that side while you turn, like a nut and a bolt. 

Anyway, I'm sure i'm not speaking for myself here; but I'd love to see more photos of the whole sword! 
Best of luck, 
-Sam

[Lennon]

You think with pliers or my fingers? I will show photos of the fittings and the blade once the tsuka is off

[Scogg]

I'd start with your fingers...

and if that's not working maybe a pair of pliers; but with a rag/towel between the metal of the pliers and the metal of the screw
(so you don't scuff/scratch/stamp the sides of the screw with the plier tread)

Hope that makes sense,
Best to go slow and be careful,
Cheers,
-Sam

*Edit: If all else fails, there might be a fellow NMB member from Vermont who could help out in-person.

Edited February 1, 2024 by GeorgeLuucas
*

[Lennon]

Update: I got the screw out thanks for the advice unfortunately now I have a stuck tsuka to deal with

[Lennon]

Alright! Finally got the handle off found kanji on both sides and a stamp what does the stamp mean?

[Matsunoki]

An image or two might help🙂

[Lennon]

Ok I’ll work on getting pics give me a little time to get one

[Lennon]

[Lennon]

[Lennon]

Does this indicate that this is not a gendaito? And who made it?

[DTM72]

Showa stamp pretty much seals it's fate as a Showato <-- machine made arsenal blade. The only way to 100% know for sure is for someone knowledgeable to see the actual blade. 

 

Looks to be signed Kanemune 兼 宗 although not 100% sure on second character.

Dated Showa Ni Ju Nen Ni gatsu  (Feb 1945) 昭和二十年二月

[Bruce Pennington]

Slight correction - the stamp on the mei side is the Gifu stamp

No one knows exactly who was using the stamp.  It was either the Seki Cutlery Manufacturers Association or the Nagoya Army Arsenal.  The small stamp at top on the date side is the small Seki stamp of the Seki area inspector from the Nagoya Army Arsenal.  The presence of either would tell us the blade wasn't made in the traditional manner.

 

Sesko lists 2 Kanemune smiths in WWII.  Don't know which one this would be:

KANEMUNE (兼宗), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Kanemune” (兼宗), real name Fukumoto Koichi (福本小市), born October 14th 1902, adopted son-in-law of Fukumoto Amahide (天秀), he died on March 8th 1977, ryōkō no jōi (Akihide)
KANEMUNE (兼宗), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gunma – “Kanemune” (兼宗), family name Kiribuchi (桐淵), he worked as a rikugun-jumei-tōshō, ryōkō no jōi (Akihide), Fifth Seat at the 6th Shinsaku Nihontō Denrankai (新作日本刀 展覧会, 1941)

[Lennon]

What about the other stamp?

 

 

[Lennon]

Oh gotcha never mind

[Bruce Pennington]

You can read all about these stamps on the Stamps of the Japanese Sword article.