Kelly C.

Hello Brian, no update yet on the Kyu Gunto, but just wanted you to know the bug bit me, recently purchased a beautiful Kai Gunto with a stainless blade in almost perfect shape at a gun show, when do the self help group sessions start?? I paid $400.00, think I really scored, I guess it all really just adds up to what the value is to the individual. Been a little dissapointed on the lack of really good information on the internet, I have learned that the ratio between Shin and Kai is about one in three because as you had stated alot of them ended up at the bottom of the ocean, that the stainless blade is for the corrosive element, (guess they can't all be ancestrial blades!) But the blade is in really good condition, the tang has arsenal markings which I wouldn't mind posting to see if yourself or some other folks are familiar with them. Now to find that Shin Gunto, the colonial swords, the....... One other note, I cleaned the blade with pure alcohol, havent dont the mineral oil yet, was a bit worried the procedure may be different with the stainless blade, should have checked before I even did the alcohol , I was showing it to a friend when before I could say dont touch the blade.. he wraps his oily mitts around it. Dadgummit!

Being extremely uneducated on the subject I probably mispoke, maybe they were just stating during the shinto period but more precisly from 1600 to 1700? I want to express my appreciation for your time helping me understand what I have here, I have been investigating the polishing, I have saved this site and when I do, you folks can come along on the adventure, thanks again.

The consensus on Nihonta seems to indicate possibly Shinto period 1600 to 1700 for the blade which of course would need verification ;)

Hello Brian, I had been digging around on Nihonto about that emblem and hopefully got some good information, let me know what you think, I think it is the Shimanzo Mon.... "Hi Kelly. May be too late but here is some information. Fuller and Gregory 1996 describe the sword as a scarce 1875 pattern Army Field Officers grade, (Major, Lt-Colonel, Colonel) identified by the fully decorated backstrap. They go on to say," Quality varies according to owners' financial means and choice. The most common option was the addition of the owners' personal mon, (family badge) which is normally in the form of a small silver disc fixed to the backstrap. Alternatively one may be engraved directly on the backstrap or pommel top." Cheers" This is what my thoughts had been leaning towards, doesnt mean it is absolute but makes sense, I am looking around for a polisher, I may take it up to seattle for review as there is a company up there that brokers japanese swords... to see if it is a good candidate, I could not get those marks of by a simple rag and mineral oil (though now it is fully protected!) the tool marks if thats what they are are still there but when you run your finger over them or look down the blade it is smooth as a babies butt, I have to believe it is a good candidate.

Hi Brian, I have uploaded some photos of the tang, of note is a plugged hole (brass it appears) right behind the Mekugi hole, possibly to take an existing blade to fit into this hilt? The hamon is pretty obscure right now, I will take a harder look. Really appreciate your time!! http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v134/WildBillGT/

I have uploaded more photos, blade looks like someone was cutting brush to me, has a couple of very small nicks in the blade, probably some children 13 of 21 looks like a dremel tool, really sad, hopefully worth restoring, not concerned so much about the value of the weapon, the historical value and the honor of the family that bore it would mean more, would love to be able to learn that history, this has been a plus plus as it is because I have alway been fascinated with Japanese culture, my gardens alway lean that direction, apreciating being able to learn more about their history and this blade has been that vehicle. Thank again. <a href="http://smg.photobuck...5-04-51_733.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobuck...5-04-51_733.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" ></a>

I have uploaded more photos, blade looks like someone was cutting brush to me, has a couple of very small nicks in the blade, probably some children 13 of 21 looks like a dremel tool, really sad, hopefully worth restoring, not concerned so much about the value of the weapon, the historical value and the honor of the family that bore it would mean more, would love to be able to learn that history, this has been a plus plus as it is because I have alway been fascinated with Japanese culture, my gardens alway lean that direction, apreciating being able to learn more about their history and this blade has been that vehicle. Thank again. <a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v134/WildBillGT/?action=view&amp;current=2012-05-28_15-04-51_733.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v134/WildBillGT/th_2012-05-28_15-04-51_733.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" ></a>

Thanks for the response, picture 2 of 5, the emblem (circle) direcly above the blossom, from what I have seen in my whole 2 days of education on Japanese swords On the internet images I usually see some kind of family emblem made of nickel? on the non com officers swords the blossom pattern can be there but on a sword with this much detail which I believe to be a sword for say a major or colonel there is either the family token or absolutely nothing, it doesnt match any of the emblems I have been able find for families, (thought maybe they had it ingraved instead of the nickel emblem attached) so pretty curious for me. The blade has blemishes that appear to be very shallow and just on the very surface, I will take some more pictures and upload for you to view, I will notify you sir, thanks for your help.

The blade like yours has no identification and it is comsetically in rough shape as it looks like some kids probably used it to cut brush, very sharp though. Bought it at a garage sale, the young gal stated her grandfather brought it back after WW2, hoping it is a genuine article and if feasible I would like to have the blade professionally restored to honor it's history, due to the cosmetic obscurity from the previous abuse it is hard to see if it has a hamon, (again new to this, forgive me if my terminology is incorrect) I can almost make it out on both sides but may be seeing more than is there, wishful thinking! Thanks in advance! (I can post more pictures if you like) I am very curious what the symbol is near the bottom (circle with a cross) I have not seen it on any other swords of this style.

I have a similiar sword that I had just acquired, hoping you might be able to provide some insight, I am trying a URL first, new to this so not expecting much <a href="http://smg.photobuck...5-48-13_233.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobuck...5-48-13_233.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" ></a>