Kiyonobu Gendaito in Shin-gunto Mounts

Signature:  Nagamura Kiyonobu Kitaukore.
Year Made:  Gendaito
Forging Pattern: Nicely forged mixture of itame and mokume. 
Tempering Pattern: Suguha in ko-nie.
Dimensions:  Blade Length:  25.25 inchesNakago: 8.75 inches 7 mm thick and 33 mm wide at Hamachi
Mountings:  '34 pattern Shin-gunto mounts in fair condition, gold washed habaki.
Overall Condition:  Very good, nicely forged sword with beautiful & prominent hada in good wartime polish with a few scuffs, scratches and a few pits in the kissaki. Kiyonobu was a Rikugun Jumei Tosho who is listed in the Nihonto Meikan, Slough's Modern Japanese Swordsmiths:1868-1945 (P.85) and made medium to high grade gendaito. The sword has a "tan" stamp, indicating it is hand forged. The gunto mounts are in fair condition; the latch is broken, the samé cracked, seppa are missing and the saya is dented. This would be an excellent candidate for a finish polish and a shirasaya but it certainly can be enjoyed in its present condition. A solid addition to your Gendai collection or an excellent first sword.