Katana original ?

aspalathos · 17th January 2026, 09:41 PM

I cant rekove handle

werecow · 17th January 2026, 10:33 PM

It's a WWII shin gunto (sometimes they have older blades but hard to say). I know there are some fakes out there but I'm not very well versed in them, though fwiw I don't see anything suspicious.

Patterson25 · Yesterday, 08:56 AM

Hi,
Just add DW40 above the guard, shake up and down the hilt and press the silver button on the fushi.
Normally you will be able to remove the tsuka.
Best wishes,

aspalathos · Yesterday, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aspalathos

I cant rekove handle

finally managed to remove the handle.

Pieje · Yesterday, 06:15 PM

Definitely original.
Never clean the handle/nakago, aside of some oil/wd40 and gentle rubbing with a cloth.

serdar · Yesterday, 11:15 PM

Chek the blade with japanese sword expert, i think it is not old blade but made in period of mountings, by some blade smith, maybe for general? It has file marks but they are crude, and it has stamp partialy seen under habaki, im 90% sure it is not nihonto.

Get it examined with expert for japanese swords, it is finely made, it could be valuable.
Signature is done on made, not adition.

RobT · Today, 12:41 AM

aspalathos,

Pieje is correct. Never clean the tang beyond a bit of WD40 and a soft cloth. I advise you to check out the Nihonto Message Board forum for full advice on the care and feeding of Japanese swords. It is a world unto itself and if you don't know what to do, you can make a grave error that will damage your piece and significantly erode its value. Your blade has a signature which means that it is at least a cut above the entirely factory made blades. Someone on the message board will be able to translate the signature.

Sincerely,
RobT

Battara · Today, 04:30 AM

I agree with everyone. Might be a traditionally made blade, but not ancestral.

aspalathos · Today, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aspalathos

I cant rekove handle

Hi and thanks to all. What I find strange is that the tang only has one hole.

JayHasAKeris · Today, 02:19 PM

That is very common. As already recommended, the NMB will likely give you the assistance you need.. They were very helpful about a nihonto of mine there and were incredibly swift and knowledgable. Japanese swords is a world of its own, just like keris. They have decades of research ahead of you, ask the experts

Quote:

Originally Posted by aspalathos

Hi and thanks to all. What I find strange is that the tang only has one hole.

Rick · Today, 05:27 PM

https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/

JayHasAKeris · Today, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/

They have a specific translation section... wasn't sure if a link was allowed! Be sure to post a picture of the Mei (the sword signature... those japanese signs hidden under the handle) there, but right way up

17th January 2026, 09:41 PM	#1
aspalathos Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Posts: 115	Katana original ? I cant rekove handle Attached Images

Today, 12:41 AM	#7
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 602	Nakago=Tang aspalathos, Pieje is correct. Never clean the tang beyond a bit of WD40 and a soft cloth. I advise you to check out the Nihonto Message Board forum for full advice on the care and feeding of Japanese swords. It is a world unto itself and if you don't know what to do, you can make a grave error that will damage your piece and significantly erode its value. Your blade has a signature which means that it is at least a cut above the entirely factory made blades. Someone on the message board will be able to translate the signature. Sincerely, RobT

Today, 05:27 PM	#11
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,383	Nihonto Forum https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/

17th January 2026, 10:33 PM	#2
werecow Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Leiden, NL Posts: 635	It's a WWII shin gunto (sometimes they have older blades but hard to say). I know there are some fakes out there but I'm not very well versed in them, though fwiw I don't see anything suspicious.

Yesterday, 08:56 AM	#3
Patterson25 Member Join Date: Oct 2025 Posts: 11	Hi, Just add DW40 above the guard, shake up and down the hilt and press the silver button on the fushi. Normally you will be able to remove the tsuka. Best wishes,

Yesterday, 06:15 PM	#5
Pieje Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belgium Posts: 137	Definitely original. Never clean the handle/nakago, aside of some oil/wd40 and gentle rubbing with a cloth.

Yesterday, 11:15 PM	#6
serdar Member Join Date: Feb 2023 Posts: 226	Chek the blade with japanese sword expert, i think it is not old blade but made in period of mountings, by some blade smith, maybe for general? It has file marks but they are crude, and it has stamp partialy seen under habaki, im 90% sure it is not nihonto. Get it examined with expert for japanese swords, it is finely made, it could be valuable. Signature is done on made, not adition.

Today, 04:30 AM	#8
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,365	I agree with everyone. Might be a traditionally made blade, but not ancestral.