BANGBANGSAN

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.

The kanji “柄平” and “柄順” found on the handle may indicate the intended wrapping method or style of the tsuka.

Unfortunately, I do not have additional photos. The ito wrap appears to have been painted in the style of a Type 3, and there are no visible traces of the カケス mark. It seems unlikely that it is from the same maker.

〇四八二 柄平 like on this one

The blade for officers made from an Army Arsenal There are two kinds of blades for officers of directly or supervisor manufacture on an army arsenal. In the public, the common name was carried out to "Zōhei-tō. Forging sword 1. Forging sword in which swordsmith under exclusive contract carried out sword making by sword workshop of each 　arsenal (A swod-tang has a swordsmith Mei and an arsenal trademark stamp) 　Osaka Arsenal: Gassan Sadakatsu, Masakiyo, Kokura Arsenal: Hakuryushi Tadataka, Tairano Sadashige, and Kanenobu, 　Arsenal: Yoshihira others. http://ohmura-study.net/206.html

Bruce You may have come across the relevant information on the Omura website — perhaps you just didn’t happen to notice it at the time. 各工廠 (造兵廠) 鍛練所で専属嘱託刀匠に依り作刀された鍛錬刀 (茎に刀匠銘と造兵廠標章刻印) 　　東京砲兵工廠: 横山祐包・森岡政吉、東京第一陸軍造兵廠: 吉原宣威 (昭廣・國家同人)、大阪工廠(造兵廠): 月山貞勝・貞一 　　(二代) ・貞重・正清、小倉工廠(造兵廠): 白龍子忠孝・平貞重・兼延、　旧兵器廠　善平　他

No star stamp.

Michael I have a Zoheito also from the Kokura Army Arsenal, which likewise does not have a star mark, but it was made a month later than yours.

@Bruce Pennington OP's sword is a later Zoheito with a solid tsuba. Please take a close look: the NCO blade with serial number 133859 was posted by Stu as a reference to show OP what a standard NCO blade looks like. Later, Silesien posted his blade, which has no serial number. Most importantly, it has only one mekugi-ana.

@Bruce Pennington looks like there is "東“ under the number

壽屋（Suya)

I think these were originally exported to the Qing Dynasty（清國） by 壽屋 in 1906, and later the Beiyang（北洋） Government replaced the screws and added their own markings.

This appears to be a copy of what might have been a Republican-era maritime customs officer's sword.

@John C 11339 ,scabbard 3666(13666?)

大越 Okoshi/Ogoshi

Japan,#108409

@Bruce Pennington Polished & add on hamon on Type 95

I think it is very likely to be Hiroji Okada (岡田寛二). He appears on the list of remaining personnel at the Central Research Institute in the "Manshū Railway Employees' End-of-War Records" ("満鉄社員終戦記録"). Additionally, he is mentioned in Issue No. 26 of the "Manshū Railway Central Research Institute Association Bulletin" ("満鉄中試会会報"), in a Heisei 12 (2000) article by Masashi Ishiguro titled "The Secret Story of the Escape from Dalian to Shandong After the War" ("石黒正『終戦後の大連脱出、山東行きの秘話』"). The article states:このとき相談を受けた幹部の一人が石黒正であった。5人の幹部とは、高木智雄・石川三郎・大槻茂寿・岡田寛二と石黒である。 He later served as Executive Director of Kyōwa Yūka Co., Ltd. (協和油化㈱) in 1971.

It's a good one

Bruce, thank you for mentioning me, and I also appreciate Sam's recognition. Unfortunately, I’m now busier than before and don’t have as much time to be on the forum as I used to. I’m afraid I won’t be able to take on the role of Moderator. However, I’m more than willing to assist as much as possible to help you and the other members.