Eye Test: Old Katana or WWII mash-up

[BruceP]

Saw this on an auction site, what do you think? My first thought was poor WWII fake gunto. The kabuto-gane, if it's supposed to be WWII, is off, but it's better made than most fakes. The seppa looks WWII legit, though, but with civilian tsuba. The blade has a good look to it, but the habaki looks like a new replacement.

Then I noticed the double mekugi, therefore long nakago. I vaguely remember seeing some old katanas with kabu and other fittings that resembled WWII fittings (or should I say it the other way around!) and started to wonder if this is maybe something old.

Thoughts?
https://new.liveauctioneers.com/item...word-1945-with

[gunto]

I have a feeling its postwar put together.
I can only see one mekugi?

[BruceP]

Ah, I flunked the eye test! Looking closer the top one turns out to be a very large nodule of the ray skin!

[BenVK]

Hi Bruce, to my eye it looks similar to this 1920/30's Tachi style sword.

http://www.icollector.com/Japanese-S...rtly_i21091507

[BruceP]

Hi Bruce, to my eye it looks similar to this 1920/30's Tachi style sword.

http://www.icollector.com/Japanese-S...rtly_i21091507

I see what you mean, Ben, thanks!

[Bob Coleman]

It appears to be a modern blade mounted for sword practice. Many of these show up converted for military use. Likely oil tempered and not a traditional forged blade.

[BruceP]

It appears to be a modern blade mounted for sword practice. Many of these show up converted for military use. Likely oil tempered and not a traditional forged blade.

Bob, thanks for the insight. So, if I'm hearing you right, an IJA soldier would use a blade such as this for practice so as not to damage his official gunto? The history is good to know, but I've also got a poor gunto that could have been used in this way, if that's what you are describing.

[Bob Coleman]

Bob, thanks for the insight. So, if I'm hearing you right, an IJA soldier would use a blade such as this for practice so as not to damage his official gunto? The history is good to know, but I've also got a poor gunto that could have been used in this way, if that's what you are describing.

Evidently, I was not clear. This type of sword was sold commercially to civilians who practiced the martial arts of drawing and exercising with a sword. When called up in to the military as an officer, it was not uncommon for owners of such swords to have them fitted with a leather field cover and used as their gunto in combat as they did have a sharpened edge.

[BruceP]

Bob, thanks! I love learning the history! I appreciate your work here.

[Beater]

Hi Bruce,

I've just e-mailed you an article about civilian Showa swords carried by officers. Hope it's useful.

Kevin.

[BruceP]

Hi Bruce,

I've just e-mailed you an article about civilian Showa swords carried by officers. Hope it's useful.

Kevin.

Thanks Kevin! It was a good refresher. I suppose what was freaking me out most was the kabuto-gane