Possible Nihonto Shin Gunto?

[GetFuzzy2]

Greetings I’ll add more photos tonight but I would love to hear your thoughts on this Gunto and if it is a real Nihonto Shin Gunto? I purchased it ten years ago for $700 because the previous owner could not remove the handle. I would like to also invest in having it polished and papered. Your thoughts would be appreciated. 
God Bless

[nulldevice]

The mei looks like 長光 - Nagamitsu to me. 

 

I found THIS reference here. The Mei "G" and "T" look similar, with T in my opinion much more so. 

 

I can't see much more with the condition of the blade and someone much more knowledgeable can hopefully help! 

[Seth]

It is signed Nagamitsu, but it looks crude to me even for an Ichihara Nagamitsu blade. Can you provide pictures of the mounts also? I do believe the blade is authentic but the mei has me confused just based off my personal experience. Any stamps on it that you can see?

 

You will find this helpful.

 

Japanese SWORDSMITH - Ichihara Nagamitsu (japaneseswordindex.com)

[GetFuzzy2]

Sorry for the poor pictures I’m restricted by the size of photos I can upload to the site and I had poor light and no oil when I took the pictures. I took the photos in a rush. I apologize but really appreciate everyone’s input.

 

God Bless

 

ps all mount parts are matching numbers 

[lonely panet]

Its 100% correct or ichihara nagamitsu. He was a very prolific smith with a wide range on quality for a gendai smith.

 

So don't stress its genuine 

 

 

[DTM72]

Ichihara Nagamitsu made gendaito blades during WWII. His work is usually of good quality. Please understand that polishing is NOT cheap. Remember the old addage, good work is not cheap, and cheap work is not good. Due to the condition of the blade, there will be a reduction in size to polish away the scratches and pitting. This usually, but not always, means you will then need a new habaki made for it. $300-$500. You will also need a shirasaya made for it $300-$500. <-- you don't want to put the freshly polished blade into the original saya that contains fine pieces of dirt and rust thereby scratching the newly polished blade. A reputable polisher will be about $125 per inch times the length of the polished area (about 27")

Papers for a WWII gendaito can be obtained, but there is no question as to the authenticity of the signature, and the papers would add zero value to the package.

 

So here are the conservative totals;

Shirasaya $300

Habaki      $300

Polish        $3000

Total   =    $3600 <-- conservative estimate

 

A Nagamitsu in good polish sells for $2500-$4000. If you dump $3600 into your $700 purchase, you are sitting at $4500. You may have a tough time getting your money back if you decide to sell down the road.

It is your sword and your time and money. I just want you to make an informed decision before you venture down this road.

 

Here is one in OK polish https://www.ebay.com/itm/255399059510

Another in OK polish with the more desireable logner signature https://www.ebay.com/itm/295537502674

 

Wishing you all the best.

[GetFuzzy2]

That is some hot knowledge right that just came down the pike, thankyou so much everyone for your confirmation of the signature and thoughts on polishing. I will most likely polish this blade down the road since I love Nagamitum and the variations in his work and would enjoy seeing new life in it. 

 

Thanks again for everyone's thoughts.

 

God Bless