BANGBANGSAN

I had this photo awhile ago ,but forgot where did I got it.

This "造“ mark was used by Bandung Arsenal in Bandung ,western Java Island,it was also seen on the Japanese captured and reused Dutch M1895 bayonets. Bandung Arsenal (バンドン造兵廠 / Bandung Arsenal) Originally was a Dutch East Indies Army weapons and ammunition repair facility known as Artillerie Constructie Winkel (A.C.W.) Bandung.Following Japan’s occupation of the Dutch East Indies in 1942, the arsenal was taken over by the Imperial Japanese Army and reorganized as“Southern Army Field Arsenal Bandung Branch” (南方軍野戦造兵廠 バンドン支廠),commonly referred to simply as “Bandung Arsenal” (バンドン造兵廠). Main Functions:Repair and overhaul of captured Dutch and British weapons,Small-scale production of ammunition and rifle parts,Support for Japanese Army units stationed in Indonesia and Malaya.It also likely make or assembly ジャワ 刀(Java sword) for the PETA army. Southern Army Field Arsenal (南方軍野戦造兵廠 / Nanpōgun Yasen Zōheishō) Directly subordinate to the Headquarters of the Imperial Japanese Army Southern Army (main command located in Singapore).To facilitate logistics and maintenance, the Southern Army Field Arsenal established several regional branches including:Singapore Headquarters ,Bandung Branch ,Surabaya Branch ,Medan Branch.

@Bruce Pennington @Scogg Sorry guys, I got these photos from someone who attended a gun show a couple of days ago. I wasn’t there, so unfortunately I can’t fulfill your other requests at this time.

Sam Here is early aluminum handle #6756

Sam Some of the very first version of Aluminium handle also has 11mm Brass tsuba. Also，there are some Pattern 5 with Bohi.

義忠 Yoshitada 昭和二十年五月 1945 May

121

Bruce Thanks for the link. It is possible that the “特” mark without a circle on the sword does not signify “failure to pass the ordinary inspection but was nonetheless accepted for special reasons.” In the case of RJT swords, a blade that failed inspection would not have received the star stamp. It should also be noted that this type of gunto was not government-issued to officers, unlike the Type 95 and certain other weapons; rather, officers were required to purchase them at their own expense. Could the “特” mark indicate“特别訂單” (special order), perhaps connected with the 陸軍偕行社（Rikugun Kaikosha）/Army officer club or a similar institution?

Another fake one with close ser#

The PLA captured a large number of Type 32 and Type 95 swords and reissued them to their cavalry units. This is one of them. The slogan on the hanger is in Chinese. While the meaning would be understood in Japanese, this specific phrase is not commonly used in Japanese. Below are some photos of PLA cavalry using the Type 95.

Turn it upsids down and read from left to right This is a commonly used slogan by the PLA: 提高警惕 保卫祖国 “Enhance vigilance, defend the motherland.”

Take a look at this one — they are very similar.

The sword shops with the character "Matsu" in their names that I could find include 松山軍刀製作所（Matsuyama Gunto Seisakusho (Shinbashi, Shiba Ward, Tokyo City),松本元洋堂 Matsumoto Motoyodo (Shibuya, Tokyo), and 松川屋刀劍店 Matsukawaya Token Shop (松代町 Matsushiro Town, Nagano Prefecture), but none of them are located in 新潟县 NiigataPrefecture. The 山上 Yamagami brothers live in Niigata Prefecture. In Niigata, there is a store that sells gunto fittings called 下野軍裝店 "Shimono Military Store," located in 村松町 Muramatsu Town. It is unclear whether any of the above sword shops with "Matsu" in their names are related to the 松 mark.

More

Recently, a seller based in Rancho Cucamonga, California, has appeared on eBay. Most of the swords listed by this seller feature genuine fittings but blades with Ge mei. I suspect that more swords like these will appear in the future. Below are some photos for your reference.