Island made sword

[Bill M]

I have to agree with Rick that this is not a gunto if we judge by the current fittings.

It also looks like the tsuba (handle) is held on by wood screws. Should be tapered pegs.

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by Bill Marsh

I have to agree with Rick that this is not a gunto if we judge by the current fittings.

Rick?

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by Andrew

Rick?

PS! (that means "OOPS with embaressed faces)

Sorry! I agree with Andrew -- TWICE!

[spiral]

looks a clumsy one to me, blade has no distal taper for starters.

It isnt Japanese even at the very lowest tourist level I am sure.


The Jap. Army took swordmiths with them during world war 2 for repair, modifying etc. , it realy doesnt look remotly like thier work though, by any stretch of imagination.

Its as genuine Japanese as a $1 ebay piece from Shanghai.


Spiral

[scratch]

Perhaps I have used the term distal taper incorrectly? If so it was unintentional. I does narrow over last 19cm towards tip by 1mm apprx. i used calipers to establish this. This is what I meant by"slight distal taper towards tip" My apologies if i have caused confusion. I have done my best to present this object as honestly and clearly as I can.

Dan

[scratch]

A couple more shots.

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by spiral

looks a clumsy one to me, blade has no distal taper for starters.

It isnt Japanese even at the very lowest tourist level I am sure.


The Jap. Army took swordmiths with them during world war 2 for repair, modifying etc. , it realy doesnt look remotly like thier work though, by any stretch of imagination.

Its as genuine Japanese as a $1 ebay piece from Shanghai.


Spiral

Hi Jonathon,

Don't hold back now!

I think that we were all just trying to be polite to a new forum member, but you have laid the correct information bluntly on the line.



Dan,
Stick around, you will learn a lot here.
Wish we had better news about your sword.

[scratch]

Thank you Spiral, Thank you Bill for putting me out of my misery. This is the first item I bought about a year ago and its been niggling me since. I then rediscovered kukris, thank goodness!
Johnathon, I must respectfully oppose your designation as a $1 shanghai ebay sword. Clumbsy yes, illformed yes, ugly yes. modern chinese construction, not from where I stand.
Structurally I feel this is a very strong piece of steel, It can absorb a great deal of stress and return true. Thank you for difinitively telling what it is not. I still feel it has some redeeming qualities. I wonder If bored Australian engineers made this at the end of WWII for sale to the better paid American soldiers.Perhaps they copied from a genuine piece, which could explain its crude but robust nature. I was hoping it was of a more tribal nature. Thanks again for ending my confusion The next items I'm about to post are of chinese origin I believe, more bad news on the way I expect

Kind regards to All

Daniel

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by scratch

Thank you Spiral, Thank you Bill for putting me out of my misery. This is the first item I bought about a year ago and its been niggling me since. I then rediscovered kukris, thank goodness!
Johnathon, I must respectfully oppose your designation as a $1 shanghai ebay sword. Clumbsy yes, illformed yes, ugly yes. modern chinese construction, not from where I stand.
Structurally I feel this is a very strong piece of steel, It can absorb a great deal of stress and return true. Thank you for difinitively telling what it is not. I still feel it has some redeeming qualities. I wonder If bored Australian engineers made this at the end of WWII for sale to the better paid American soldiers.Perhaps they copied from a genuine piece, which could explain its crude but robust nature. I was hoping it was of a more tribal nature. Thanks again for ending my confusion The next items I'm about to post are of chinese origin I believe, more bad news on the way I expect

Kind regards to All

Daniel

Dan,

We all have made mistakes in our collecting! We still do, sometimes. You should see some of the Chinese "Emperor General Ming Dynasty" swords I bought a few years ago.

Just keep on reading the posts here. Get to know some people who collect in the areas you like. Send them private messages.

Buy and read books.

Get to know the prices weapons bring. For instance, it is unlikely you will find a good Chinese or Japanese sword for under a thousand dollars. If you do, it will be because you have studied and recognize the rare "sleeper."

There are a lot of clever sellers on eBay. People with hugely inflated shipping charges. People who list items wrong intentionally so that they appear to be "sleepers," hoping to start a bidding frenzy from the sleeper hunters!

My strong suggestion is to read posts here. Use the "Search" Function to find information and people in areas you like. Buy books and READ them!

Books Can be expensive, but much less than mistakes you may otherwise make.

There are some very knowledgeable people on this forum, however we all make mistakes. Don't necessarily take what you read here as absolute truth. We are ALL learning.

There are some world-class experts here. For instance, I consider Jonathon (Spiral) to be one of the top people in Khukuris. You mentioned that you like them. He has an outstanding collection and a powerful understanding of these marvelous weapon/tools. Do understand that when you ask him a question, you will get a blunt and accurate opinion.

Welcome to the Forum. Hope that you have a good time here. I certainly do!

[spiral]

Originally Posted by scratch

Johnathon, I must respectfully oppose your designation as a $1 shanghai ebay sword. Clumbsy yes, illformed yes, ugly yes. modern chinese construction, not from where I stand.
Structurally I feel this is a very strong piece of steel, It can absorb a great deal of stress and return true. Thank you for difinitively telling what it is not.

Well its in your hands Dan, I am just looking at the photos, so you can see who it feels in the hand etc. that I cant. I wasnt suggesting it was from Shanghai via ebay just that as a Japanese" sword its genuiness was at the same level. As you say its a stronger piece.

1mm distal taper is not far from no distal taper im my book.

I dont have any idea who made it, a lost tribe or OZi bored soldiers.

The Japanese sword represented more than a weapon, its primary use in the WW2 Army was as a emblem of rank, honour & spirit.

Hi Bill, mmm yes guess I am blunt sometimes, most days I am ansewaring email questians about kukri etc so over time, I guess , I have reached the stage where I do just say my reactions to a piece.

Perhaps I shouldnt do that on forums, Ill think about that one...

Dan does know me already though.


Spiral