There were two types of guntou, the kyuu guntou (old military sword) and shin guntou (new military sword). The kyuu guntou were used from 1875 until 1934. Their production was not standardized, with different craftsmen producing them. Many styles closely resembled European and American sabres of the time. The shin guntou were used from 1935 until 1945. Most of these were produced in the Toyokawa Naval Arsenal and were based on traditional slung tachi of the Kamakura Period (1185–1332).
