Help me identify this Gunto definite pre 1945.

[Bujin]

This one is causing me problems. I can't identify it. No one at the club can either. Old blades are my speciality not WW2. It's a pre 1945 D handle but has NO carvings of any kind. It's completely plain? It's definitely original Japanese.

[Bujin]

[John A Stuart]

It is a kyugunto in the Western style. The hilt is plain so it may be for a non-commissioned rank. I have an officer's model here. http://www.johnstuart.biz/new_page_12.htm John

[Bujin]

Yeah, I have several Kyu-Gunto swords but I have never seen a plain one before. I'm guessing it's either civilian or private. There were never any late war D handles made that I know of that may have sped through without detailing as the Kyu was out of production in the 30's. Nor were they officially issued in a plain mounts.

[John A Stuart]

One shorter version I have that is plain like that is a Prison Guards version. No guard on it, but, the backstrap is the same. It has no adornment. John

[Bujin]

Thanks John. I'll look into that.

[Bujin]

I see yours is a civilian police style sword in shape. Maybe mine is a military prison guard sword?

[Weidas]

i saw several on internet. They were referred as police or mounted police swords. Although they are missing police badge and police short swords usually don't have full D guard, they are very similar to police.