is it fake or original?

http://images4.fotosik.pl/94/7c8ddf5a55bfcdc3.jpg

http://images1.fotosik.pl/140/00fee2b4207fc79a.jpg

http://images1.fotosik.pl/140/006545104f805efa.jpg

http://images1.fotosik.pl/140/d5ae05091ac400e6.jpg

I would take it to somesort of appraiser or expert, it is hard to tell from looking at photographs, or how you aquired the item.

for one thing, it doesn't look like it cuts at all, plus the woven design of the holder looks like it's metal. But I'm no expert.

At first glance, it looks like one of the WWII military katana, NCO shin-gunto (non-commissioned officers). These swords had an all metal, simulated wrapping on tsuka (handle) and were mainly machine made and had stamped serial numbers on the blades. I�fm far from being an expert but I thought I�fd put my 2 cents in.

If the sword is all original, the serial numbers on the blade, tsuba, saya (scabbard) and all other parts should match.


Whether it cuts or does not is irrelevant, the blade has been compromised. The condition of the blade clearly shows that it had been sharpened or an attempt made to hone the edge...NOT GOOD but typical of WWII blades.

Like uco i'm no expert but, No, i don't think it's real. The Gripping or what ever it is called looks very fake,

Also, wasn't the art of sword making as revered as the art of warfare in which the sword was used. I think each sword has a unique balance between the blade and the handle which be important to a warrior and would vary with preference. I doubt there would be any need for a serial number such as the 3715 displace on the blade, if it were i'd would guess that it would be written in kanji, because there probably wouldn't have been signifigant foreign influence at the time of production.

The metal under the woven pattern looks like it's in bad shape i'd say it's not authentic, be wary of purchasing it

Judging by the metal handle, it looks like one of those katana that were handed out to the officers of the Japanese army during WW-II and probably brought back as a souvenir by a GI.
(The katana) were made of standard machine steel, with an embossed and painted metal handle designed to look like a traditional tsuka.
I'm sure that there are webpages of specialists where you can get more information about it.

Here you are.
ttp://www.h4.dion.ne.jp/�`t-ohmura/gunto_070.htm

There was a slight problem with the link Kaz posted, but the one below works: http://www.h4.dion.ne.jp/~t-ohmura/gunto_070.htm

Sebi, could you shed shome light on what you thought it was? Has it been offered to you or did you buy it? It seems to be an original gunto, but it is not an orignal katana used by a samurai. They are worth some money, though, judging by some Ebay listings.

Maybe I should of started a new thread but I had a few questions.

I heard stories about samurai swords cutting through machinegun barrels and steel helmets. Just how sharp is it? I also heard that the swords use to be tested on people, is that true? One last question, does the sword need to taste blood each time it is removed from the case?

I do not know about gun barrels but I have read an article a recent test, a katana used to cut a steel helmet. Both the katana and helmet was purported to be over 400 years old. The katana did cut the helmet; it looked like the helmet was struck with a sharp axe. Although it did not slice the helmet in half, I think if I were wearing that helmet, it would have definitely ruined my day. No matter how sharp the cutting edge is, a lot depends on the skill of the swordsman. It�fs like the sniper rifle, no matter how accurate the rifle is, the results of the shot depends on the shooter.

The Japanese katanas was made to cut or pierce human flesh and bone. In ancient times, the cutting test, Tameshigiri, was conducted with the help of condemned criminals (usually), during the actual execution or on the corpse (sounds a bit macabre huh?). The hardest and most difficult test cut was a horizontal cut from one side to the other side slightly above the hips, cutting through both sides of the pelvic bone and the spine.
Often, the results of the testing, including the date, type of cut and the tester�fs name was recorded (inscribed) on the tang.

As far as the blade needing to �gtaste blood�h each time it is drawn, I think that is just a myth and I don�ft think it�fs even a Japanese myth. Besides, blood tends to stain the finish of the blade.

I saw this samurai sword for sale and it had papers with photos of the sword on it to prove it is a real japanese sword. I forgot the name but the paper was signed by a famous master swordmaker. The paper also said that it was tested and used by a samurai. Is paying $1000.00 for the sword a good price? It's real sharp and the sword is free of nicks. I can send a picture of it if anyone can help me out.

the answer is complex it not japanese sword but it is chinese sword armory only chinese swords have numbers on them some of these swords were early . however with the metal simlated wrapping circa 1945?

well the katana posted is a military design but if it were genuine it would have nothing printed into the blade and the handle would be made of smoked stingray leather and polished to a sheen

This NCO Shin-gunto is a real WWII sword. I collect Shin-gunto and Kai-gunto swords.

Definately fake.I have owned a few WW2 NCO swords and this one is a chinese made fake sorry.Dave.

Its a real NCO gunto , machine stamped blade as a curio piece they sell for $400 - $500 USD on ebay

The sword shown in the photographs you provided indicate the sword is a good Chinese copy. The markings on the Fuchi indicate three widely spread cannonballs(photo 1). This is not consistent with the arsenal markings I know and should have indicated the Tokyo arsenal, if done correctly. The serial number on the blade written as such would have indicated the Nagoya arsenal. both these markings contradict each other. Blood groove appears to be way to wide. There was no reason to look over the rest of the blade. You have a good Chinese made sword.

the japanese did used to test thier swords on on dead bodies but that is as far as it went

Or rather, some of it is fake. My own humble opinion is that someone has acquired a damaged second pattern and tried to restore it. The ordnance stamps on the fuchi are way fake and the habaki is far too short. The rest of the hilt apears genuine, and although the fuller on the blade looks to be too broad, that could just be the angle the photograph was taken at.