fake shingunto

[gunto]

At first look , the blade looks old. But then ,looking at the koshirae together with the blade it apears to be 100% fake.
This is the first I seen where it comes close too a genuine.
Wonder how much it will end with.

http://cgi.ebay.com/japanese-sword-s...item20b85914d2

[kaigunair]

That is an interesting one. That's also why I've stayed away from older blades in my own collecting... To many pitfalls for my inexperience. Gendaito only for me for now, until I have time to join the local nihonto club and get some hands on tutoring/mentorship on this. Buying online is hard enough even on items I've researched throughly.

[Steve Flanagan]

Chinese guntos

If one studies the way that original Japanese sword hilts were wrapped, then its easy to spot the bad ones, so far. Just today a guy walks up at a show with a Tachi mounted blade,,,with a cardboard box with CHINA label on the end of the box and he still did not understand.

[RodneyO]

Hi,
Check out this website "Handmade Swords", they have some very nice shinguntos. Can't find anywhere mentioning that they are originals or repros but the description says:WW2 Style Swords..... All 4 different models are priced $1299.99!!! They have nice blades and mountings that look original.

http://www.handmadesword.com/wwii-swords.html

[gunto]

Closeup of the fittings tells its reproduction.
But yes ,they are better looking than the china craps.