Gunto mei help

[Gareth]

Morning all... I've been offered a gunto katana sword that's stamped with the showa stamp and has some mei underneath.

it's also in what looks like later or possible fake koshirae.

is it a gimie or a legit blade and duff fittings.

Many thanks ☺️ 

[Gareth]

[Gareth]

[xiayang]

It's signed

 

兼高 = Kanetaka

[Gareth]

Thank you xiayang. Does that mean it’s a decent blade and worth buying 

 

[Brian]

It's a wartime arsenal blade. So whether it's worth buying or not depends on whether you're collecting wartime militaria or handmade swords, and the price.
Can't say much about the fittings. They aren't military, so either swapped out, or civilian mounted. Can't even tell if that tsuba is Japanese or not, need more pics.

 

[Shugyosha]

Hi Gareth,

Did you buy the Naminohira blade?

 

I don't mean to be patronising, but when you're starting out it can be quite dazzling to find the quantity of items available and which seem to be quite cheaply priced. I'm sure you've had a look around the market but if you're asking the question "is it a decent blade worth buying" can I tentatively suggest that you sit back and hang on to your money for a while? I'd suggest that you need to have a better feel for what it is you want to collect (the Naminohira blade looked like a koto blade from the tang and so is quite different to the Gunto above) and the kind of quality that is available and at what price point - if you can hold off for a while and do your homework you'll get off to a better start than many of us who jumped in before we knew enough.

 

Once again, sorry if I'm talking down to you.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Agree with the above, save your money and avoid swords like this one.

[Gareth]

To all who’ve replied….I’ve not made any purchases regarding this item. 

 

Im a new collector and I’ve been reading all your advice on this site for months to others. What I’ve posted is to get your opinion as it’s that I value as much as my hard earned pennies and whatever I buy. 
 

I don’t collect WW2 swords but had been offered it fairly cheap. Following my own research I’d establish it’s not pro dominantly original if at all real. 
 

I will let it pass me bye and someone else buy it. 
 

your words are very well appreciated as is your expert knowledge 

[Bruce Pennington]

FWIW, I have a few Kanetaka on file and none use the 2 kanji mei like this, nor that style "Kane".  I'm not saying it's gimei or fake, as I've never seen a faker try to imitate the Showa stamp.  Just unusual.

[Gareth]

Bruce thanks for your input. I’ve been looking at quite a lot of what you’ve previously put in posts as a guideline as you seem to be the guru on this. 
 

the fittings are all potentially gimie from the pics I’ve been given pre sale. 
 

it’s a definite no no buy for me based on all the info you’ve all provided me. 
 

again I can’t say how much I appreciate all your inputs. It’s a god send and money saver