Ratisbons

Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Eye Test: Old Katana or WWII mash-up

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    Eye Test: Old Katana or WWII mash-up

    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

    #2
    I have a feeling its postwar put together.
    I can only see one mekugi?
    Last edited by gunto; 08-20-2016, 10:26 PM.

    Comment


      #3
      Ah, I flunked the eye test! Looking closer the top one turns out to be a very large nodule of the ray skin!

      Comment


        #4
        Hi Bruce, to my eye it looks similar to this 1920/30's Tachi style sword.

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

        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by BenVK View Post
          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!

          Comment


            #6
            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.

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by Bob Coleman View Post
              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.

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by BruceP View Post
                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.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Bob, thanks! I love learning the history! I appreciate your work here.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Hi Bruce,

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

                    Kevin.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Originally posted by Beater View Post
                      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
                      Attached Files

                      Comment

                      Users Viewing this Thread

                      Collapse

                      There is currently 1 user online. 0 members and 1 guests.

                      Most users ever online was 10,032 at 08:13 PM on 09-28-2024.

                      Working...
                      X