aabderson Posted August 27 Report Posted August 27 Hey all! My gut and everything I’ve learned so far tells me this gunto is real. I just wanted to get your opinion. The seller is concerned about removing the handle. But it’s priced cheap so I can take a risk. Just wanted another opinions if it appears to be real or if I am missing any red flags Quote
PNSSHOGUN Posted August 27 Report Posted August 27 It's a real Gunto but the fittings have been messed around with, so likely not war time original. Note the Tsuba is cut for a leather strap but the Seppa cover the hole, and the Fuchi is also cut for a release catch but the handle never had the cutout for the latch. 5 Quote
robinalexander Posted August 27 Report Posted August 27 Hi Alex, Agree with John above, plus IMO ...... 1. the Ashi looks a little high on the saya which is not a major prob but it has a leather sleeve under it which means its not part of that saya. if thats a wooden saya then it may have shrunk but really, that is a little too much shrinkage. 2. the Ashi itself looks a bit rough ....corrosion or badly cast? I favour the latter as it seems to have retained paint 'over' the imperfections. 3. speaking of imperfections, the tsuba looks a bit rough as well (pic 3 and 6) 4. the sarute surround is one that I am not familiar with. All my 98's have close variations of the one in the attached picture. Not keen on they one you are looking at. 5. the shinogi in the last picture looks as crooked as my leg but that may just be the distortion from the pictures (they are really bad.) 6. there is a distinct lack of seppa, top and bottom, that could be legit but considering all the other 'little probs' its starting to sound like a 'put together' to me. 7, general lack of detail in the fittings ....maybe late war or some pieces may not be war at all [RED FLAG for me] I don't know why the seller would be "concerned" about removing the tsuka. If he/she has any experienced at all then it shouldn't be an issue. From the pics the mekugi peg has been in and out more times than I have had breakfast. You can tell so much from the nakago.....(hope its not glued together ) Final word....I collect and enjoy a sword that has 'been there, done that' .... I have some goodies and some roughies but they are all fully real ... I also like taking a risk occasionally but on the information provided so far, I would leave this 'package' where it is. Good luck. Rob PS if you do buy it, I would love to see some better pics. 4 Quote
Michaelr Posted August 27 Report Posted August 27 Wow Rob you took the words right out of my brain, they hadn’t even gotten to my mouth yet. Alex the only thing that I would like to add is that you said that it is priced Cheap. You didn’t say what the price is but whit all that has been said above if it is still cheap to you, then go for it. We all have some not all correct, or not so great prices that We purchased because they were Cheap. I purchased a Cheap type 98 to have so that a beginner could handle it as I was teaching them the proper way, while enjoying my better swords from a distance. MikeR 3 Quote
Matsunoki Posted August 27 Report Posted August 27 In addition to the good advice above… The huge red flag is that we can tell nothing about the blade. Don’t know if it’s old, wartime or whatever. Don’t know if it has any flaws, can’t tell if it has a hamon or boshi. Oil or water quenched etc etc Given that the blade determines the value I’d say the vendor is trying to hide something by not showing the nakago or some better images. It may be cheap for a reason. Have you actually handled it? 1 Quote
aabderson Posted August 27 Author Report Posted August 27 I was able to get him to take the handle off. I had it translated as Takehisa made in Showa 18. Oil quenched showato. Any thoughts? Quote
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