IJASWORDS

Julian. Either your photographic skills are getting better, or God forbid, some one has done some "garden shed" polishing over the past week since your initial post. There is so much more clarity and detail in the blade as time passes. If the blade has not been worked on, I will start going to Church on Sundays, as miracles really do happen. Neil.

Hi Stegel, I would rather use your terminology, much easier to follow. Dragged some of mine out of the cupboard for a photo. Hope I got them in the correct order. To be honest took years to get them all, and only completed the set a month ago. I found pattern 6 pretty difficult to find. I would now not part with them for the world. I have heard on good authority that there is a white painted ALPINE version, that would be great to find. And these are only the HEAD LINE patterns, when you add different arsenals, leather covered, chromed versions....they add up. Any way thanks to all the contributors on this topic over the past days, very informative. Neil.

When a sword passes SHINSA and gains papers from that organisation, is that specific sword given an identity and placed on a data base for future reference? Can papers be crossed referenced any where? Or are papers relative to that sword at that time only, and copies and records not kept? Neil.

Sorry Var #3.

Thanks Brian for initiating the MILITARY SWORD forum, much appreciated! Stegel, great info on the NCOvar#4.Interesting about the rarity. My sword number is 132423, I guess that makes it early production? Do you know specifically how many of this variant were manufactured? Neil.

If a sword passes SHINSA in any country, does that automatically allow it to move in and out of Japan freely? Neil

KANEYOSHI?

Bruce, two thirds!! That is significant. Must also be Type 32 day today, talking to a fellow Aussie collector about the 32. I found one with TWO numbers struck out, and the matching number on the other side of the drag. Neil.

Hi Greg, all the ones I have owned/seen have arsenal stamps, Neil

Hi Bruce, I am glad you could confirm the lack of scabbard number. In your research have you found out why? With out being cynical, could they have been removed by previous owners whose numbers did not match, or an arsenal repair in WW2, or infact just made like this? I am sure it doesn't detract from the piece, but would be nice to know the story behind it. Neil.

I think David makes a lot of sense, and will ensure that the life cycle of sword collecting/appreciation will continue to future generations. Just need to ensure that there is some one charged with the responsibility to not only dispose of them sensibly, maintain them correctly in the interim, and very importantly understand what they have in their possession. To ensure this, I am preparing a spread sheet cataloging each sword with its relevant information and its purchase price/value as a guide. I know that when we depart this earth, we will probably not care about our collection, but I think we owe future generations the pleasure we have had, and we owe our swords the respect they deserve. Neil.

Hey Bruce, you might know, where there any copper handled 95's made without numbers on the scabbard throat. Have heard this, but no mention in any literature. Neil.

Hi, $3000 is about right for a COPPER HANDLE 95 that meets ALL the criteria listed in the previous posts. BUT the first thing you should buy, is JIM DAWSON's book, Swords Of Imperial Japan 1868-1945. Then you would have answers to ALL your questions. You could make BIG mistakes without the KNOWLEDGE! Neil.

Greg, Chinese copies use yellow brass on the handles instead of the "red" pure copper that was used on original 95's. The scabbard must have a brass plug in the bottom, the copies most often have a steel drag like the other variants. Look for matching LOW numbers on the blade and scabbard throat. Neil.

Hi Jean, firstly as a reasonably new participant to NMB, I want to thank the person that had the guts to include the section, MILITARY SWORDS OF Japan. I am sure at the time it must have ruffled the feathers of a few traditionalists. Whilst many are "industrially made", they are still "Japanese" swords, and made for a purpose as I guess NIHONTO also were in their time. People have differing interests and perceptions of value and collectability, a few of us here tend to value and appreciate our GUNTOS. On the value front, NCO's have doubled even trebled in value over the past five years. Stephens comment is correct. Never say never. All that said, I also appreciate my NIHONTO (some papered) for their beauty and hand made individuality. I don't think the NCO is a poor mans NIHONTO, I think it is another branch of collection and appreciation. Neil.

Hi Bruce, my blade is untouched and pretty rough compared to yours. Hope this helps, Neil.

Hi Bruce. Really happy for you and love your passion!!! And yes, you are always one of the first to help with identification issues, much appreciated. I may have one of its relatives, photo of number and stamp attached. Hang onto your NCO's everyone, I reckon these will be the collectable swords of the future!! Neil.

Hi GrimesSU, totally agree with Alex. but GUNTO fittings look pretty good. That's a good start. More pics please. Neil.

I own some WW2 GUNTOS where the blade is a few inches shorter than what would appear to be the "perfect" length to suit the scabbard. A photo of two examples is attached. The blades are medium grade SHOWATO, nothing special, but fit perfectly snuggly in the SAYA. Does any one know why it happens reasonably frequently. I have been told that it is like, "mine is longer than yours" syndrome, if you get my drift. I have seen it more often in old wakizashi length blades taken to war made to make them look longer. Any help/explanation would be appreciated, Neil.

Hi Barnejp, again, blade and SAYA throat numbers should match. No fuchi markings have often meant a war time repair. I have seen tangs broken in service (usually at the screw hole), rewelded, and reassembled with a plain fuchi. Hope this helps, Neil.

Hi Barnejp, if you want to devalue, possible ruin your NCO's, try disassembling them. The only numbers to worry about are visible on the blade and SAYA throat. Neil.

Sorry, didn't see your first post, Neil.

Where is photos? Neil.

Hi Greg, the answers you have received so far would address your question if you asked "what is the best BLADE to collect", you asked what is the best SWORD. I collect "SWORDS" and the blades come with the swords. I recon the most collectable SWORDS to collect, are those with all original equipment, and provenance, ie a GENERAL or COLONEL, who the sword can be traced back to, and may have some historical significance. The blades in these SWORDS may be GENDAITO or centuries old. I would not swap either of these two pictured for a MANTETSU blade, no matter how sharp it is. Again, all a matter of opinion, you will get differing opinions from military collectors, or NIHONTO guys.

In fact Barnejp, look at the 93 posts on SHOW US YOUR BEST GUNTO to see a variety of "BESTS". Its in the eye of the beholder. Neil.