In good condition, a traditionally forged WW2 Japanese Army Officer’s Shin Gunto
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Old but more recent attribution marked (not a mei / signature) to 兼吉 Kaneyoshi, the blade has three menuki-ana, all suggesting it was made by this Kaneyoshi, not the war time Kaneyoshi. The blade is clearly traditionally made as the hamon (what there is of it) is irregular and the blade has a grain and some “ware” (small forging line flaws). The blade may well be worthy of a professional polish.
The gunto’s saya (scabbard) has unfortunately been cleaned of its original colour / surface (a job for a restoration painter perhaps).
The 25 inch nagasa (cutting edge section) blade is in good condition but with some (a few) patina patches. Blade pretty firm in the tsuka (hilt / grip). The “furniture” (gunto fittings) good (a small gap appearing in the ito / bindings, probably dryness related). The saya has been stripped clean but is in good condition; the sword sheathes and draws well and the locking pin mechanism works (with care).
A very good and interesting shin gunto at a price warranting immediate consideration (before someone else nabs it); was £? (too late, now sold). Please quote item reference AI03. Further / full sized images available upon request. Box 1898 (2.086) 99 x 15 x 16.
