Is this a Shin Gunto

kino · 21st October 2008, 01:59 AM

Someone offered this to me today.
I think it has military mounts. I pushed the bamboo pin out, and tried to remove the hilt, but was not successful. It was on there tight, I even banged on it several times with a ball peen hammer, while using a pair of vise grips on the blade, well not really, I just used my fist to hit the other hand holding the hilt.
Let me know what you guys think.

Battara · 21st October 2008, 02:14 AM

This is certainly shin gunto mounts. Most likely the blade is as well, but hard to tell from the pictures.

Rich · 21st October 2008, 03:44 AM

Yes, shin-gunto mounts, but I think the saya is missing the ashi (hanger).
The tang has probably rusted itself into the wood of the tsuka (handle).
Removing it will be difficult. You might try CAREFULLY taking a block of
wood against the tsuba (guard) on the blade side and tapping it with a
wooden mallet. Obviously after removing the bamboo peg. Alternate sides (left/right) so as not to bend the tsuba. Be very careful as the blade is sharp and you don't want to miss and cut your hand off. Don't use metal tools on it as they will scratch and scar the tsuba, blade, etc.

Also look carefully that there are not TWO bamboo pegs (mekugi) - the one
at the base near the tsuba and maybe another near the top of the hilt. Not
common, but I've seen several mounted like that.

Rich
The Japanese Sword Index
http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/nihonto.htm

kino · 22nd October 2008, 02:42 AM

Thanks for the confirmation guys.

Rich, next time I visit the sword, I will try to remove the handle again, by using your suggestions.

21st October 2008, 01:59 AM	#1
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,007	Is this a Shin Gunto Someone offered this to me today. I think it has military mounts. I pushed the bamboo pin out, and tried to remove the hilt, but was not successful. It was on there tight, I even banged on it several times with a ball peen hammer, while using a pair of vise grips on the blade, well not really, I just used my fist to hit the other hand holding the hilt. Let me know what you guys think. Attached Images

21st October 2008, 02:14 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,226	This is certainly shin gunto mounts. Most likely the blade is as well, but hard to tell from the pictures.

21st October 2008, 03:44 AM	#3
Rich Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: comfortably at home, USA Posts: 432	Yes, shin-gunto mounts, but I think the saya is missing the ashi (hanger). The tang has probably rusted itself into the wood of the tsuka (handle). Removing it will be difficult. You might try CAREFULLY taking a block of wood against the tsuba (guard) on the blade side and tapping it with a wooden mallet. Obviously after removing the bamboo peg. Alternate sides (left/right) so as not to bend the tsuba. Be very careful as the blade is sharp and you don't want to miss and cut your hand off. Don't use metal tools on it as they will scratch and scar the tsuba, blade, etc. Also look carefully that there are not TWO bamboo pegs (mekugi) - the one at the base near the tsuba and maybe another near the top of the hilt. Not common, but I've seen several mounted like that. Rich The Japanese Sword Index http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/nihonto.htm

22nd October 2008, 02:42 AM	#4
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,007	Thanks for the confirmation guys. Rich, next time I visit the sword, I will try to remove the handle again, by using your suggestions.