Shin gunto question

[IanS]

Just cleaned up a shin gunto I bought at auction a couple of weeks ago. Can anyone put a year to its manufacture please?

It came complete and had clearly been "polished" some time ago and the sharp edge had been ground to make it blunt for safety I suspect. The leather combat cover was in very good condition and the military metal scabbard was also very good, with the loss of some brown paint in just a few small areas. I've cleaned everything but held back from polishing other than the blade. I also hand stoned the blade to bring back an edge, not sharp but safe to handle, this can be finished to sharpness later if required.
It was very difficult to remove the mekugi, the screw thread end had been splayed like a rivet, something I understand was done at assembly.

Easier if I put up some photos, I hope they are good enough, these were from the auction catalogue.

I'll take some pics of the finished project as soon as I can, and of the parts as dismantled.

Information

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[IanS]

Here are a couple of photos of the finished project, I really ought to get a new camera.

I forgot to mention that there is no marking on the tang and the blade is not a traditional one.

I treated the leather combat cover with a cleaner/conditioner.

I forgot to photo the mekugi, it can be seen in one of the photos in the above post, you can see the slotted nut. To remove it, I filed down the "rivited" area till I was able to turn the nut, even then it was very tight on the thread, I had to modify a tack remover to use as a wrench on the nut. I was able to save the mekugi, but with a thinner nut which looks OK. It was a lot easier to refit once I had tidied up the thread. All the items shown were cleaned but not polished to retain patina, except for the blade. The main reason I bought the gunto was to experiment polishing the blade to see if I could get the same finish as the traditional Japanese polisher. I know it's not a traditional blade but I was amazed at the finish I achieved. I used wet and dry paper, water, two small wooden blocks, starting with a 240 grit because of some deepish scratches and several small pits, working through the range and finishing with 3000 grit. I thought I could miss out several grades near the top end and found that I was left with areas that needed going over using the grades that I had omitted. That extra polishing will be for another day, it still looks great as it is. The polishing took me 4 hours non-stop and I reckon it would have been a good 5 hours using the grits that I left out. If I buy an ancient blade katana at the right price, that needs polishing, I think I'll polish it myself.

[browningautorifle]

Looks good too. Very nice example. I had a Navy sword back in the '70s and can attest to removing an edge after a ten thumbed buster almost cut off a finger while handling it. I sat down and stoned the very sharp original edge off on the spot. I wouldn't do that now though. Nice looking blade Ian...

[IanS]

Thanks Jim, I think I did well winning it. There were two others in the sale, both not as good. I haven't seen one online since, with a combat cover as good as this one.

I think if I was in the position you were in, I'd stone the edge off too.

Trust you are well,
Ian.

[browningautorifle]

Thank you Ian, I am well. Not much different happening here. Hope all there are fine.

[IanS]

Morning Jim, glad you are well, we're locked down here till 2nd December. I should have been over to Canada this year but that didn't happen, hadn't been over since my dad died in 2016. The remembrance activities brought back memories of him and his stories. I have a brother and other relatives in BC.

Apologies to others reading this, as I have gone off subject.

Best wishes,
Ian

[browningautorifle]

I have gone of subject.

It happens, besides it's your thread. Anyway we seem to be alone...others will see the blade and join I'm sure.

[IanS]

As I'm off the subject, thought I'd mention that I watched a documentary about the loss of the BC Ferry Northern Queen. Just had a strange feeling, my great uncle was lost on the Northern Princess in 1942.
Best wishes,
Ian

[browningautorifle]

the loss of the BC Ferry Northern Queen.

Now days they seem to condone people staying below deck, that would be catastrophic if the same thing happened in active pass with a Spirit class today.

I DO expect to see Cinders along here eventually, I think he as one of the steel scabbard versions...I bought one made up from parts for my son a few years ago too.

[Surpmil]

I was going to go tangential on Tulwars, sharpening and Japanese swords, but will resist the temptation!