IJN Officer Sword (signed & matching #'s)

[gunto]

To me its army mounts late war and those I have seen over time has been in like new condition.
maybe old parts mounted postwar?

I havnt seen period photos of this sword type in use.

[SammyT]

Thanks for your review Gunto. Just so I understand correctly, all the parts making up blade, handle, scabbard, etc.. are wwii parts, however, there are some Army parts attached to the Navy blade? Also, what parts are Army, and what parts are Navy? As the sword stands now, is there any value to it?

Thanks.


Sammy T.

[gunto]

Thanks for your review Gunto. Just so I understand correctly, all the parts making up blade, handle, scabbard, etc.. are wwii parts, however, there are some Army parts attached to the Navy blade? Also, what parts are Army, and what parts are Navy? As the sword stands now, is there any value to it?

Thanks.


Sammy T.

Only the blade is navy stamped, the rest are pure army look.

I havent seen a blade in that type of mounts with so much kanji.
Also the end of the nakago (tang) on yours is normal shape ,others I have seen had a clean cut over or like broken off.
Br
Thomas

[GHP]

Only the blade is navy stamped, the rest are pure army look...

Except for the oval navy tsuba (though it is missing the large rayed seppa).





swordforum source

--Guy

[SammyT]

Ok, so the blade is Navy, the handle is Army, and all three metal fittings marked "29" are Army. What about the scabbard?

Also, as for the kanji, can anyone translate?

And when you refer to my tang as being normal shape but others you have seen are broken off I'm not sure what you are trying to say. Can you clarify? Thanks.

Sammy T.

[Stu W]

Hi Sammy,

The following two photos depict "textbook" Kai and Shin-gunto. You will see that the scabbards on the Navy Kai-gunto are different than yours. My reading of works such as Dawson's Cyclopedia (photo attached) lead me to believe that yours is what he refers to as a late war emergency issue Kai-gunto with Shin-gunto parts. Page 280 refers for those with Dawson at hand. That combination is viewed differently by others. Some believe it's more Army and others feel it's a post war assembled piece returned with GIs as a souvenir. I don't currently take a firm stance on this because I simply don't have enough experience with them although I lean to the theory that they are legitimate late war pieces put together when times were tough, parts were scarce and anything and everything was being used to arm a population facing invasion.

Regards,
Stu

[Stu W]

Here's a photo of the book mentioned above and one I recommend for those interested in gunto.

Regards,
Stu

[GHP]

Here's a photo of the book mentioned above and one I recommend for those interested in gunto.

Regards,
Stu

That looks like a great book! I'll keep my eyes open for a copy of that -- at $118 it's a bit of a stretch for me; if I didn't have both Fuller & Gregory books, I might buy it now. As it is, I'll wait to see if I can find it in a used book store.

--Guy

[Stu W]

That looks like a great book! I'll keep my eyes open for a copy of that -- at $118 it's a bit of a stretch for me; if I didn't have both Fuller & Gregory books, I might buy it now. As it is, I'll wait to see if I can find it in a used book store.

--Guy

Hi Guy,

It is indeed costly however at about 450 pages in length it's well worth it in my view. I believe it takes the study of gunto well beyond where the earlier works of F&G plateaued.

Besides, it would look good in your book shelf right beside the copy of Imperial Japanese Good Luck Flags and One-Thousand Stitch Belts.

Regards,
Stu

[gunto]

Hi Guy,

It is indeed costly however at about 450 pages in length it's well worth it in my view. I believe it takes the study of gunto well beyond where the earlier works of F&G plateaued.

Besides, it would look good in your book shelf right beside the copy of Imperial Japanese Good Luck Flags and One-Thousand Stitch Belts.

Regards,
Stu

[GHP]

Hi Guy,

It is indeed costly however at about 450 pages in length it's well worth it in my view. I believe it takes the study of gunto well beyond where the earlier works of F&G plateaued.

Besides, it would look good in your book shelf right beside the copy of Imperial Japanese Good Luck Flags and One-Thousand Stitch Belts.

Regards,
Stu

Quit tempting me!!!! Urggh, I just might have to do it soon .... that flag book needs a friend.

--Guy

[Staldion]

Can't agree more!

This book is fantastic, every one of us should have the book of Dr. Bortner, Jim Dawson's SOIJ and Heitai from Augustin Saiz. I almost post them in the topic about our best finds of the year!

I will keep my soft cover of Fuller & Gregory, as a very educative summary on the gunto.

Come on Guy, join the bright side of the military swords of Japan!

(Wonderful Kai with the surrender tag!)

[SammyT]

Thanks Stu, the photos help me out quite a bit. I will definitely pick up that book.

Sammy T.

[GHP]

Here's a photo of the book mentioned above and one I recommend for those interested in gunto.

Regards,
Stu

Submitting to peer pressure .... I ordered the book last night.

ouch!



--Guy

[Stu W]

Submitting to peer pressure .... I ordered the book last night.

ouch!

--Guy

Hello Guy,



I was not aware of just how large a work the book is, but felt it well worth the price, after I had it in hand.

I'm looking forward to your impressions.

Regards,
Stu