Gunto identification help needed

[Polaria]

This is not my sword and the pictures were forwarded to me by a friend, so unless he brings it to me to check out I have very little additional information on the piece. I'd like to say something to him but my expertise isn't enough to pick things from these photos alone. Does anything look immeadeatly "off" in your eyes? To me the paintings on the blade look both a little suspect and interesting at the same time. Anyone seen smilier before?

[robinalexander]

Sorry Mikko, does not look Japanese.

 

You have identified the obvious offender, being the 'kanji' on the blade but all-round, this is not a Japanese Gunto.

 

Rob

 

[paul griff]

Hello Mikko,

                    It’s a really bad fake 100%…All the components look poorly made from the leather wrap on the grip to the shape of the blade..

Regards,

              Paul

[drb 1643]

Tom

[Polaria]

The grip was clearly fake, that I could see but my eyes are not good enough to see the metal components from this picture. Please teach me if there are any indicators that can be seen from photos.

 

On second viewing I think the fake ”kanji” might have been made with acid which is a clear red flag.

[Bruce Pennington]

Mikko,

The photos are not very clear, not enough detail.  But it is trying to be a civil sword re-fitted for WWII, as seen by the belt hanger (haikan) and tsuba (handguard).  Cannot see the kabutogane well enough to tell if it is civil or military, but it appears pretty crudely made either way.

 

Look here for real examples of WWII fittings:

Standard Fittings