IJASWORDS

WOW, thanks GregD. Fittings also look similar. And the wrap has no SAME under it. You have restored my faith in WW2 swords seeing a similar piece. Neil.

Hi All, I got this sword years ago, and the previous owner said it was taken either in the Philippines or Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). The blade is machine made, and way too good for a JEEP SPRING. The leather cover is over what looks like a RAIN FORREST timber of a red colour. The hanger and press studs are the same as those on Japanese issue covered swords. Habaki (copper) looks period, and the pommel is like late war last ditch type I have seen. Tsuba is iron, through which a leather snap tab passes. I have heard that late in the war, and on isolated islands, promoted officers got a local made sword on their promotion when Japanese pieces were not available. Any contribution would be appreciated. Neil.

Hi SwordGuyJoe, agree and disagree with you. The tsukamaki and menuki always puzzled me as well, BUT all the metal fittings are original to the sword. I have carefully removed them, and they match the patina/corrosion patterns on the saya. The throat (painted pressed sheet metal) has the wood liner protruding and matching exactly. The FUCHI is an exact match, and the CHAPE, whilst looking like a 98, is painted pressed steel also, with no decoration and the same colour. The blade date is only three months earlier than their surrender. By the way, the land of a thousand lakes, is that Finland? I used to work in HANKO, there was a fantastic militaria collector down there, great swords!! Neil.

Hi, got a late war made GUNTO, with a NORINAGA blade made in `1945. As you can see from photos, there are elements of a few designs, and differing materials of construction. The KASHIRA and hanger look like poorly made (roughly cast) type 3 variety, whilst the Fuchi, scabbard throat and bottom tip are steel. The scabbard is a tan colour, whilst the TSUKA is khaki painted (with no SAME) under the binding. This looks like a "last ditch" officers sword, along the lines of the "last ditch" NCO. Looks like a Type98 Menuki. It all fits and matches, so would not say it is a put together souvenir. Help in identification would be greatly appreciated. Neil.

HI Bruce, Stegal, is this what you are asking about? Neil.

Hi Bruce, good question. Been colleting swords for a while, and found out three things years ago, firstly, I was ALWAYS disappointed with what I got on auction sites, secondly, it is best to get pieces from your trusted network, buddies tend not to BS each other, and thirdly, those with the fattest wallets get the best pieces (just look at some crazy prices lately!). I certainly don't have a fat wallet, so I hunt down and target what I want, to the point of reserving my cash for some thing I really want. Some times unfortunately this means passing on some great pieces that are not on your "hit list". Some pretty good stuff comes out of the wood work here in OZZ occasionally. OH WELL, cant have everything!! Neil.

Hi, by the way great photo of stamps on SEPPA Kai Gunto of Scandinavia. Got a Lt General sword (see pictures), with provenance. It has a 22 inch blade in a 28 inch SAYA. The blade is old UJIFUSA OWARI, and sticking a probe down the SAYA shows it was made for this blade. My only comment is that it is a treasured family blade, and mounting it in a SAYA to suit the length would look silly on an officer (too short). Sword length (certainly SAYA length) may well have been a status symbol amongst officers. All this said, I also have a number of 21-22 inch blades in short SAYA to suit. So is it regulation or vanity? Neil.

Hi, having fun posting things, only been a member for a day! I am sure the novelty will wear off soon. As collectors we like to share what we have with like minded people. The side latch NCO was in fact the last and hardest to find in reasonable condition to complete my NCO collection. Funny, the NCO's make up only a small percentage of my collection, but they seem to generate all my posts! Can't wait to see a topic on double hanger 94's, with MONs and old blades that I can contribute to. Neil.

Hi Stegel, YEP, that's the one, that's why its not on display, NON-MATCHING numbers, and not worth much. Apparently bought back from New Guinea by an AIF soldier, and sold by a relative. Neil.

Hi, help in translating this tag would be greatly appreciated. Neil

Hi, hope these pictures help. #52627, and #80442. Fairly low numbers in the scheme of things. May be you could give me some feedback on these, as NCO's are not my chosen study. Got a few more NCO's somewhere, if they are interesting I will post photos. By the way got another Copper 95 in a yellowy gold SAYA, no signs of it not being original, and no signs of any other previous colour either. It is #1719 if that helps. Didn't know NCO's were that interesting. Neil.

Hi, I don't really collect NCO's, but attach a photo of some of my examples (certainly got all the types in DAWSONS book). I guess if you collect WW2 IJA swords, they are a necessary part of sword history and evolution. Neil.

Hi, forgot to add that brass and copper components have the patina of age, and have never been polished or touched, that's why they look dull. Painted surfaces still remain with good appearance. Neil.

Hi, attached photos of uncirculated NCO. Don't know if photos are clear enough to show detail. The SARUTE is painted brown (most examples rust quickly), and it is noteworthy that even on a machine made NCO, there is an attempt at a YOKOTE on the tip. Thanks for welcoming another "Ozzy", we have some pretty good stuff down here, there are many collectors that are not on NMB, as was I until yesterday. Thanks...Neil.

Hi, yes over entire grip, tightly stitched, and only open at the diamonds. It is in great condition. Got a brand spanking new uncirculated NCO if you are interested in seeing photos. Got a bit of a collection of WW2 IJA swords. But particularly like to collect examples with old blades. Neil.

Hi, joined NMB today and getting used to posting. Needed to work out how to load photos, so here goes. Saw a section on custom NCO's and thought I would share one of mine. Certainly over here (in Australia) these are pretty rare. I have been collecting for a while, and reading the posts, most interesting. This is completely leather covered, only exposing the decorative elements of the sword. Every thing is as new under the leather. Any comments are appreciated. Neil.

Thanks Guido, didn't realise that those specific words were pointed by K Morita in his post. I thank you both. As this was under the leather cover, is it a surrender label or may be the name and address of the sword customer put there by the sword "shop"? All my surrender tags normally have rank and unit. Neil.

Thanks k morita, could you then translate the two printed words that are on the paper. Each has two symbols. Your help is appreciated.

I see two printed KANJI characters on the label, one looks like SAKU. Could someone translate these two words please.