Seeking more information about this Japanese Sword

[PoinsettA]

Hi,
I have this sword, I don’t know a whole lot about it but I believe it’s a WWII Gunto with a machine made blade. However there is an unusual marking on the tang that looks like a puzzle piece, I’ve never seen that before. I’ll attach a couple of more pictures that may contain other possible stampings as well.

There seems to be a fair amount of pitting on the blade and the metal scabbard is cut up near the beginning.

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

[m4l700]

Hi,

Well, there are some things that are 'off' with this one. The Saya(scabbard) looks nothing like a Gunto saya and it looks to be of lesser material. Same for the menuki, that doesnt look like an IJA one. And the same for the blade and habaki, doesnt look like something the Japanese would create, the nakago(tang) seems to be rushed?

At best I suggests it might be an 'Ersatz' or Island sword. But I could be completely wrong ofcourse

Do you have any pictures of the blade?

[DaveR]

I have seen similar, and of WW2 date,.... but it is an oddity. My guess is Manchurian or Chinese collaborationist officer.

[Bruce Pennington]

Agree to both the above. The tsuka parts seem to come from actual Japanese gunto fittings, but the menugi (3 circle emblem under the wrap) is not Japanese. My memory bugs me, as I've seen this before, but can't pin it down. I want to say Chinese. So, it very well could be a Chinese collaboration sword. That scabbard is pretty bad, though!

I'd also like to see pics of the blade - one in full, and a closeup of the blade tip.

[PoinsettA]

Pics coming soon! Thank you guys for taking the time to look at this.

[DaveR]

Does this look familiar...

[PoinsettA]

Here’s a lot more closeup detailed pics - there is no Mekugi pin, just a screw holding it together temporarily.

[PoinsettA]

Does this look familiar...

Not 100% exact but it does resemble it very closely

[Bruce Pennington]

Does this look familiar..

Dave, that's it! is it Chinese puppet govt?

[DaveR]

Truthfully, I am not sure. I have seen a couple of these now, well made and nicely finished, and from a dealer in Japan. One guy reckons it's just a legit variation, and another thinks it's Manchurian..... From an ebay dealer called ensai so ken .