In good condition, a Japanese Shin Gunto with 17C blade, mei truncated to Bizen Kuni ju Osafune
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The blade mei is truncated, little doubt from when the blade was modified to fit new “furniture”. The style of the kanji / characters indicates early 17th Century (Keicho Shinto); this period is noted for robust fighting blades. There is a fairly straight hamon and very feint hada / grain in places. The ridge on the obverse of the mei is due to when the Nakago (tang) was modified.
The gunto itself has lost its saya locking pin mechanism but these are often available on eBay, etc. if a replacement is desired.
The 27 5/8 inch nagasa (cutting edge section excluding habak) is in very good condition, some light stain spots. The furniture (tsuka, tsuba, seppa, fuchi, tsuba, same, ito, menuki) are aged but good (the locking pin mechanism is absent). The saya (scabbard) is good but has somee minor dings. The sword sheathes and draws well.
A very good WW2 Japanese shin gunto courtesy of its quality earlier blade; a snip at was £? (too late, now sold). Please quote item reference ZW57. Further / full sized images available upon request. Box 2158 100 x 13 x 13 (2.29).
