Gunto for review.

[Jimny]

Won a Gunto at auction and whilst looking good from the photos it appears to be a put together at aleast as for as the tsuka and seppa are concerned (annoying as the tsuka is very nice including the separate sarute barrel) although i may be wrong as the lower mekugi ana does line up and seems rather solid when assembled (no ratting) although I have never seen a gunto tsuka with an additional unused one. in addition to the chuso not reaching the saya.

 

The saya appears to fit quite well and the blade is a rather beefy 985 mm including the Tang annd 760ish from the Habaki. and although there is some corrosion there is a visible Hamon on the blade and no chips surprisingly. 

 

Thanks for any information and opinions.

[Jimny]

The Odd mekugi ana on the otherwise good tsuka.

[Bruce Pennington]

I've seen 2 holes, but the upper one is usually much higher near the top.  Haven't seen one like this one, either.

 

A previous owner may have gotten the gunto missing several parts.  My dad's Mantetsu was missing tsuba & seppa, plus a coupld of the saya fittings.  They might have found these parts to re-fit the gunto.  

 

Your smith looks like Yoshida Kaneyoshi, 兼吉 (Kaneyoshi).

 

Can you slide the habaki down and check for a small Showa stamp near the top.  I think I see the bottom edge of it.

[Jimny]

Thanks for the info, Had a look without the habaki and could not find a showa stamp.

[Bruce Pennington]

Thanks for checking, Perry!