ww2 japanese Katana?

[FNG]

Hello, Iv bin on the japanese quest of items this week and almost complete. I was offered this sword for 500 USD and dont know anything about them but need one for my collection ( only would be proper) Any imput from the pro's would be awesome, thank you

[lee edwards]

not liking the detail on the hand guard and the blade looks a little off to me

[rbminis]

Why does the ray skin stop 3/4 of the length of the handle, under the wrap?
I also agree about the detail on the tsuba.
Ralph.?

[FNG]

I was wondering the same thing! I noticed the ray skin too. Ill pass on this

[Type4]

I not like this sword, scabbard, hand guard and nakago look no good

[DaveR]

I have seen worse! Genuine but neglected, and probably an overcleaned tsuba.

[Bruce Pennington]

I have seen worse! Genuine but neglected, and probably an overcleaned tsuba.

Dave,

I agree it looks legit. I wonder about the ito wrapping job. No sign of wear, and, forgive my lack of terminology, but the ito is folded everywhere except over the menugi - is that normal? And that's some really unique seppa, though, if this is a "family" blade refitted for the war, I've seen some non-standard fittings.

FNG, this is a descent price for what you're getting, but if you want something "standard, regulation" you can find them for a little more money.

[ghp95134]

...but the ito is folded everywhere except over the menugi - is that normal? ....

I've seen that before on other swords -- but not gunto. This is sort of a tsumami style (below), but just over the menuki instead of the entire grip.

There are *many* different styles of handle wrapping; this site shows only 21 styles of (tsukamaki).
--Guy

[Sporter90]

condition issues

[FNG]

Yes its a bad one. Thanks for the imput!