Bruce Pennington

Well, gentlemen, this discussion, like all collecting "preferences" are just that - personal preferences. We are individuals with differing likes and philosophies. While David's points are perfectly true, there is more to it for some of us (like the difference on nihonto lovers vs gunto lovers; between never clean or restore vs restore to original condition). It all depends upon one's heart and reason for collecting. I will probably do what Neil proposes. If my daughter isn't interested (or her husband) I will find someone who will honor what my collection represents and pass it over.

Good one Piers! You got me! Neil, good topic for discussion. The last of the WWII generation are gone, almost completely, and these swords and what they represent are coming to us from their grown children. We are bearers of thousands of legacies. As a hobby, it is fun and something we enjoy, but we all know that it represents something more, don't we.

Obviously family and/or friends deserve to benefit from our collections when we pass on, but if anyone lacks an appropriate affictionado --- PM ME!!!!!

Neil, Shamsy (Steve) and Stegel are the real pros on NCO gunto! I just addictively prowl the forums more frequently! Steve answered your numbering question. On the overstriking, that seems pretty normal on the late-war 95s. All the Type 95s have been going up in price this year, but the late war versions are really going up.

Neil, I can barely make out the Tokyo inspection stamp on one blade, but can't see the other one clearly enough. Do you know what stamp it bears? Usually the larger drag is from the Nagoya Arsenal and the smaller from the Tokyo Arsenal.

Sure, Steve, here's both sides and one after I cleaned it (please don't hate me! I clean all my gunto, but keep pics for proof of condition when I get them).

Craig, I got mine on Amazon for about $11 USD. Got yourself a gorgeous gunto there my boy! Do yourself a favor and take some pics of the blade, without the fittings and repost. Looks like an older blade than WWII to me - 2 mekugi holes, worn or reshaped blade tip, squared-off nakago (tang end). The tsuba (hand guard) is a more expensive upgrade, and the fact that it came with the rank tassel is a bonus!

Corry, that's a beautiful gunto. $1,000 is a minor-steal for that!

Ok, hate to be one of those guys who takes a thread off in another direction BUT: I've got a Type 95 with an edge that feels like it was never sharpened. Since you've brought it up - is this normal? I simply wrote it off to human error, so many swords to polish, sharpen, etc.

Peter, The small stamp near the tsuba (handguard) is the "Showa" stamp. Controversy still exists as to it's meaning, but the general consensus is it was put on mass produced military swords that were not made in the traditional manner. It depends upon the blade, though, as there are examples of swords with the stamp that were papered at Shinsa as traditional.

My first couple of NCO gunto, I used 2 sets of plyers, but realized they cut into the metal of the loop! Ouch! I simply pad the plyers with cloth now, but Stephen's idea is quite ingenious!

Hi Your date if correct- 1944. Someone else will have to confirm the smith name for you. Nice gunto, the saga looks like it probably originally had a leather cover. The belt hanger style and fuchi style are typical of that. Many gunto didn't have stamps, don't know why. It isn't unusual though.

Wow, I've never seen one with such art work down the blade like that!

You called it Dude! The book says "government ministers, generals,admirals,and the governors-general of the largest colonies."

I'm afraid my nephew is reading my reference books, or I'd take a look. Can you get us some clear pics of the metal parts of the saya (scabbard)?

Corry, Try Obiwanknabbe (sp?). I got a a part for my Dad's saya, and he mentioned that he had several parts and pieces of stuff. Worth contacting him, here's a link to send him a message: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/user/2510

Dave, my browser asked what software to view it, and I picked a "player" which worked fine. Peter, did you notice they were all wearing suits with ties while they worked? My how times have changed!

Ken, I am in line for David Hofhine http://www.swordpolisher.com/Services.htmlfor a polish. His list is 2 years long, and has (I think) 3 levels of polishing he does. There are cheaper guys, though, $700 being the cheapest I've seen. Might try a google search.

That price makes me feel better about paying $2,400 for mine! Always thought I over-paid, but it's a nice one and I WANTED IT!!!

Stephen, that certainly was true. I wonder, though if the options got more sparse as the war got closer to the end.

I like the blade Neil. Nice "O kissaki", or large tip. The nakago, or tang, wasn't well made compared to average military blades, but that would fit the "occupied lands" idea. The two mekugi-ana (peg holes) are interesting - hand punched not machine drilled. If not Japanese made, it was made in Japanese style. Hard to see a hamon in those pics, but maybe one visible in the last one.

The stamps on the nakago-mune are Kokura: 小 　Army Arsenal Kokura Factory - Kokura Army Arsenal inspection mark: "Ko". 　"Ko" stamp is not discovered except for the following example. It seems that the inspection mark 　used the "To" commonly since most Tokyo Factories relocated to Kokura Factory. ホ 　Army Arsenal Kokura First Factory inspection mark: "Ho" So the blade, at least, was made for an Army officer.

Neil, like Jean, I would love to see the whole blade shape, as well as a close-up of the tip. Other than the tsuba, so far this looks late-war Japanese to me - the kabuto-gane (handle end-cap) and the toe of the leather saya-cover, as well as the belt-hanger, all look pretty standard. Many of the islander/occupied lands swords, that I've seen anyway, have cheaper materials and craftsmanship. It would help to see the blade and its tip

That's a beauty Neil. There are some guys that really go after the Type 3 gunto because they tend to have great looking blades.

That IS an interesting one Neil! I've never seen a Type 3 with the Type 98 ishizuki like that. Combined with the late date, I'd say your theory is pretty solid about it.