Kai gunto real or fraud?

[JoeR1986]

I recently came into possession of this naval sword, the only thing I know of it was it was sent home by a GI stationed in Japan between 1946-1947. Just looking for others thoughts on it because there is so much on the internet it's mind boggling!

[JoeR1986]

[JoeR1986]

[JoeR1986]

[PNSSHOGUN]

Hi Joe, welcome to the forum. Yes you have an authentic Kai Gunto, it has a stainless steel blade and the lack of a second hanger indicates this was made late in the war. The writing on the handle can sometimes be the officers name.

[JoeR1986]

I really appreciate that! I've tried to translate it but these apps are worth a darn. But it does make me feel better knowing it wasn't a thrown together piece post war to sucker some unwitting GI.

[Michaelr]

 Nice one Joe. If this is your first sword you are off to a good start. If this is an addition to what you have, it’s a nice addition. If you only want one original Japanese WW2 sword it’s a nice piece. Congratulations and thank you for sharing. You have come to the right place

  MikeR

[JoeR1986]

Thank you MikeR, this is the first sword I've ever owned so my knowledge is certainly lacking. Japanese equipment,firearms,bayonets,and uniforms I'm confident in, but this is a whole new ballgame for me. 

[Conway S]

Joe,

 

Did you miss  the responses that you were provided in the other thread here?: 

 

 

[JoeR1986]

Oh my goodness I didn't I reposted because I saw how old that post was!

[Kantaro]

2019?

[JoeR1986]

Kantaro, I guess old wasn't the right wording. I figured I'd best start a new post beings that the last activity on that post was back in 2019. I'm still new at this lol.

[mecox]

 

@JoeR1986  to help with your questions:  this is a stainless steel blade mounted in Naval kaigunto koshirae.  The mei looks to be "Taketaka saku"  武孝作 and it has an anchor in circle stamp.  This would be made in the Tenshozan Tanrenjo a private factory that produced swords for the Navy.  There were various mei used there , but there were other "Take" smiths":  Takeyoshi, Takeyasu and Takeyuki.  I had not seen a Taketaka before.  The blade is a production line product although neat finish.  These mei look to appear through the war, but not large numbers.  There were more of a similar form with mei of Hiratoshi saku.    Bit hard to tell about mounts from pics but unusual to have only one suspension ring and menuki and seppa look a bit odd, so not sure if late war or a post-war souvenir item.  The paint figures on the nakago are 　伊　二四四　("e" ?) 2 4 4.  These look repeated on mouth of saya (not sure of first one).  These are assembly numbers to match the various parts.

For lots for info on WW2 Naval swords and smiths, and Tenshozan  go the NMB Downloads:

 

 

[Bruce Pennington]

In March, '45, they ordered changes to kaigunto to save on precious resources and speed production.  The second haikan (ashi) was elliminated as well as the gold gilding.