Shin gunto

[Domi888]

I would like to know if someone could tell me more about this saber with a length of 60 cm with a signature ... is it authentic please? THANKS

[Lee]

I expect that it is Japanese and does have some age. I recommend the Nihonto Message Board for assistance. The first thing they will tell you is that it has serious condition issues and not to attempt to polish it yourself.

[David R]

Is that 60cm total length or blade only, if total then it's a wakizashi, blade length it's a short katana. A shin-gunto is specifically a sword in regulation military mounts. like this, or the version with a metal scabbard.

[Interested Party]

A picture of the entire piece would be nice for the archives : )

[Domi888]

Originally Posted by David R

Is that 60cm total length or blade only, if total then it's a wakizashi, blade length it's a short katana. A shin-gunto is specifically a sword in regulation military mounts. like this, or the version with a metal scabbard.

yes it is 60 cm long ... thank you

[CutlassCollector]

I agree with Lee - it looks authentic and you need specialist advice via his link.

From the pictures only - the hilt ornaments, tsuba and ray skin look to be of good quality and also the signature looks authentic. The second character is Hiro which is a common part of many Japanese names. I can't read the top one. Signatures can be faked of course, but overall the impression is of a real Japanese sword. Just my opinion though - and please feed back to us what the experts say.

The blade looks as though it can be recovered but needs a professional Japanese sword polisher - which is very expensive and charged by the inch so be grateful it's a short sword!

[Domi888]

on the NIHONTO forum. It is told that it dates from 1600's and that the signature was Fuyuhiro.