Opinion on gunto sword.

[Michal]

Hi everyone. Sorry for my English. I am asking for advice. I would like to buy this sword. It seems to me that it has a non-original button and one non-original fitting. How much can such a sword really be worth? What are your opinions about him? Thank you for all the help.

https://www.ebay.pl/itm/333216931144

[BruceP]

Michal,
The whole gunto looks legit to me. The chuso (button) may have been custom made. Can't zoom in on it enough to tell, but looks like it might have a sakura on it.
I'm not an expert on smiths, but I've heard the name Takehisa bantered about some. He is in my world because he is one of only 4 smiths, to my knowledge, that has the "W" stamp on the nakago. It's not a dollar-value thing, simply a rare curiosity that, as collectors, we can be willing to pay more for.

I don't know European market values. I have heard that gunto are harder to come by, and therefore more expensive. But this gunto in the US would normally go for that price or slightly lower. With COVID things have slowed considerably, so you might be able to make a lower offer.

[GHP]

武久
Takehisa

昭和十八年 秋
Showa 18th year [1943], Autumn


I can't find much about him after a 5 minute Google search.




Photos attached for the record.




-- Guy

[Michal]

Thanks for the answers. Is it possible for the Sword to be made by hand using traditional methods? the seller says so, but I don't want to believe it too much.

[BruceP]

It is possible, but cannot tell from those pictures.

He is discussed often on Nihonto Message Board. Here is one thread: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic...d/?hl=takehisa

Slough's book, and others, list him as primarily a showato (non-traditionally made) blade maker.

[nickn]

Try and post a good photo of the Hamon then we can tell you if it’s gendiato

[Michal]

Are such photos enough?

[BruceP]

The experienced guys with gendaito (traditionally made blades) might have a better opinion, but it appears someone used a fine-grade sandpaper on this, which unfortunately obscures much of the finer detail. My gut says it's not traditionally made, but standard army showato.