Japanese Kai Gunto?

**tpotter457** · 05-04-2014, 08:03 PM

I'm looking for help identifying a friends katana that he believes in a Second World War Kai Gunto naval sword. I myself have my doubts about its authenticity for a number of reasons that might be apparent;

The wrapping on the hilt looks very new considering the suspected age of the sword
The fittings on the hilt and scabbard look quite crude, and display weld lines
The tang is unmarked
The fishskin on the scabbard looks quite tacky and fake, though I don't know if this was normal for the late war period

That said, the sword appeared to be old from the state of the blade, which was in a sorry state when the sword was purchased. We got a friend who is very talented with swords to polish the blade to the mirror shine it has now. He said that the blade showed evidence of being blunted completely with a file (for practice?), resharpened and badly polished several times, all some time ago.

I've learned a lot from this forum; the knowledge and talent for identifying items is simply astounding, so I was hoping that someone could offer some opinions on the authenticity of the sword. If the pictures aren't sufficient, please do ask for more!

Tom

**gunnerjohn** · 05-04-2014, 08:34 PM

no offence intended but i would think that this is one of those chinese blades that were made about 25 yrs ago,but im sure that some one on here is more expert at this than i

**Tank Destroyer** · 05-04-2014, 08:37 PM

It looks to be a reproduction. Sorry. Marty

**tpotter457** · 05-04-2014, 09:20 PM

Cheers guys, I had my suspicions to be honest. The sword just didn't feel right, not to mention the welded fittings!

**Stu W** · 05-05-2014, 08:58 PM

That is one butt ugly reproduction in my view. I hope your friend did not pay much for it.

Regards,
Stu

**tpotter457** · 05-05-2014, 09:14 PM

Well he bought it from an antiques dealer we know. The chap obtained it in a lot and didn't know anything about it himself (he specialises in antiquities) so sold it for £60 as doubtful. Not much of a loss really, as a modern sword its probably worth that.

**Wagriff** · 05-05-2014, 10:03 PM

Agree with all of the above. A cheap pre-aged repro from probably India or China. Not even good for cutting weeds...

**tpotter457** · 05-05-2014, 10:29 PM

Thanks for confirming my suspicions gents. It wasn't expensive, so I doubt he'll take it too hard!

**Nigel Lesgate** · 05-05-2014, 11:06 PM

I would like to see a pinned thread for contemporary "repro" Samurai swords by someone in the know that keeps tabs on the prevailing bad offerings in todays marketplace. I think a sword like this one is a perfect candidate for poster child. A thread of this ilk could cover the bases for really clever baddies to just the plain garden variety decorator pieces.