Shin Gunto identification

[SHOKAKOLA]

I have recently come into possession of a shin gunto katana, and as I know next to nothing about swords, I was wondering if any one could help me verify its authenticity.

[ghp95134]

康光
Yasumitsu

Not to be confused with a Yasukuni smith; those Yasu~ smiths use a different kanji for Yasu: 靖.)

昭和十八年十月
1943、October

According to Dr. Kim's site, Yasumitsu's real name was

野口 照次郎
Noguchi Terujirō


--Guy

[ghp95134]

P.S.

There is also an arsenal stamp:

[名]
for 名古屋 Nagoya


--Guy

[SHOKAKOLA]

Thanks for the reply/information. I was more interested though as to whether the sword is original. I can supply more pictures if need be.

[MAP]

Welcome Shokakola.

Guy is helping you translate the Kanji written on the tang.

Please be patient and someone will be around shortly. From what I can see this looks to be a good sword but I am not an expert. That said, do you have photos of the serial number on the blade and does it match with the number on the scabbard? Photos of this would be appreciated.

Look here for a good example of the type of photos that would be most helpful.

Japanese NCO Sword verification

[Bruce Pennington]

Shoka (can we have a first name to talk to?),

This is a legitimate WWII Officer sword, not a fake, if that is what you mean. Officer gunto will not have serial numbers

[SHOKAKOLA]

Sorry for the delay, There dosent seem to be a serial number on either side of the blade

[MAP]

Shoka (can we have a first name to talk to?),

This is a legitimate WWII Officer sword, not a fake, if that is what you mean. Officer gunto will not have serial numbers

You are if course 110% correct. I was tired and my old eyes "saw" an an NCO handle....no excuses for that mistake. Just a poor and rushed response to something that was patently wrong.....

[SHOKAKOLA]

So this sword is real, and not only that, it's an officers sword?

[Bruce Pennington]

So this sword is real, and not only that, it's an officers sword?

Yes, given the photos we have seen here. You can read more about them at this great website: Army commissioned officers Shin-GuntM (Type 98 GuntM) 1938