robinalexander

The rare first type NCO sword ( 'copper' not!) mentioned above sold at au tion for $850 USD which indicates to me it was purchased by someone, likely a newbie, who thought they were getting a bargain. This will be a quick and painful lesson. I'm disgusted yet again by the behaviour of the auction house (Sofa Design Auctions Richardson, TX, US) in engaging with 'specialists' who appear to lack even fundamental knowledge of the subject. Note : The views expressed above are the personal opinions of the poster and are not necessarily the views of NMB members or moderators.

Same old, same old....I can't help myself. So I took the time to explain to this auction house that this was not a rare copper but a Chinese repro (and a bad one) and suggested they could refer it to a specialist.... after their first response which was .... Hello Rob, We have consulted several specialist in the field and they all confirmed the sword was authentic. Best regards I then told them that 'coppers' blade numbers finished in the mid 6000's but, no response....it's off to the auction it seems I really need to learn to just 'let it go'

Tks Bruce .... my missing 95 ... you can remove the post now

Frank @scorpionking just PM'd me the following pics for trans (tks) ....... PS ... you were spot on Brian

Received by PM from Scorpionking ..... HI Robin I was wondering if you can pls help me in decoding the characters on the Katana. could please share me your Gmail id. Sorry Frank (Scorpionking), no can do.

No......I can't work it out either

I agree Bruce they are getting good but then I am one of the members that believes NMB threads provide a nice quick 'go to' that furthers the ongoing development of fake coppers and other 95's. On this particular sword... I thought the fuchi stamps were too large and too well pressed. I would always be asking for clearer pics of those. Also, isn't blade number 13982 way outside the range for coppers? The saya would be a deal breaker for me even if it was genuine..... but i like the knot!

Hi Howard, Click on the three little dots (top r/hand corner) of your posts and u will see a 'Delete' option. This can be used by an author to delete individual posts....not sure how u delete the thread heading though. Rob

Hi Eric, If by 'breaking it down', you mean taking the tsuka off and disassembling tsuka, seppa and habaki and cleaning it...I would advise against this. It is a Type 95 NCO sword with nothing (to speak of) on the nakago. Pulling it apart won't reveal anything but could certainlyresult in damage/wear and more likely, it may not go back together as tightly as it is now. Unlike the Officer's Type 94, 97 and 98 which are actually made to be disassembled, cleaned, remounted etc. Rob

Rog was such a nice bloke. A real gentleman.

All good on the South Coast of NSW Baz.

Thanks Baz, I'm forever being enlightened. (Its a wonderful thing) When I wrote that, I was aware it was a bit of a game call but if it was off tne mark, then I would soon find out. I will read those threads with interest.....from my chair on the sideline

I am crossover Chris, my more valuable upright in locked secure storage BUT with heavy towel covers. My less valuable but still loved, horizontal but again, each with heavy towel covers (sword bags) My maintenance table usually holds a few both for ongoing maintenance and appreciation. My old kids Giraffe 'blanky' underneath and many towels on top.

Tks Bruce.... I should make it clear that I have absolutely no real knowledge in the matter of vegetation on Tsuba's (or any other fitting for that matter). For my part its simply a little research and opinion.

I think it's between the Pawlownia (Kiri...Empress Tree..Adam Tree...Princess Tree) and Chris' Grape. Both have close resemblance to the above tsuba. Both also have a very general tri shape, prominent veins and small round fruit or seeds however in this disussion, I favour the resemblance of the Paulownia over that of the grape. I can't find any historical or spiritual importance in the humble grape. It appears Japan only had one type of indigenous (Koshu) grape from Yamanashi Prefecture. So traditionally grapes don't appear to be 'big' in Japan in terms of symbolism. The Paulowinia on the other has been valued and used for its timber since 200 AD and has significant cultural importance with the flower being the official symbol of the Japanese Prime Minister's office. A couple of pics from the net. Rob

Marinus ... in regard to removing the tsuka have a look at the YouTube clip attached. It is exactly what I and many other do however I am a little more gentle and use a much smaller (tack) hammer. But its a good clip. Others may disagree or have something better but the principle is the same. As yours has a brass screw, you just need to remove that and follow the tips in the clip if you are confident. Again, be careful of the chuso clip. Rob

Hi Marinus, Welcome to NMB. As John said, that is a nice Kai Gunto (Imperial Japanese Navy). A couple of observations and comments ....... Looks like an early (late 1930's) Kai that has the heavier superior fittings in brass and the nice polished dai- seppa rising sun. The sarute may have been removed/replaced at some stage as it should rest on the blade side of the Kabutogane. Its fitted with a Chuso (locking) pin which is not rare but, there are certainly not as many around as the more common Kai Gunto's which 'lock' only by the pressure fit between habaki and saya throat (no locking pin or button). Be careful of that as they can snap if treated roughly. It has a polished black shark skin saya cover (samagawa) My guess is that the gold chain is not original and a latter non-functional addition. To get more info you really need to remove the tsuka buy unscrewing the brass screw (use correct screw driver size to avoid burring) and then easy the tsuka off the nakago. there are instructions/guidance somewhere and if someone doesn't chime in on that, I will try and find something for you later tonight. But go gently, if not confident or difficult to remove seek further advice. If there are any details of the swordsmith/date etc they will be on the nakago. For a bit of Japanese Sword terminology, go to Home page on this site.....Nihonto Info ....(then) Glossary. The are many others available on the net. A link in regard to sword handling and care (courtesy NMB member Grey Doffin) https://nbthk-ab2.or...ord-characteristics/ Finally, although the blade looks to have a fair bit of oxidization, I really like the entire package. Congratulations and take care of it Rob

Tks for better pics Chris. On balance, I say they are genuine. All the best Markus.

Two questions for other 95 collectors before throwing my hat in the ring...... 1. Is the number 812 on the saya throat, upside down or is it that I just haven't seen any coppers with this orientation? (1353 looks ok) 2. Why do you think it is that the later numbered sword (1353) has an 'age appropriate' saya and tsuba finish but a pristine tsuka finish? They don't seem to match unless tsuka has been cleaned.

Chris, I like your observations.....is it possible the long sarute could be added or variation and the seppa damaged? That said, I definitely agree with you re the inverted nanako...your eyes are probably better than mine but I have never seen that on a genuine 95. This point alone would be a deal breaker for me. And the numbers don't sit well with me either but there are some weird variations. If it's a fake, then they are getting good.

Ok I have it on good authority that these are junk ..... I would rather send my money to charity where it might do some good.

I don't know but the last time I saw a nakago like that it was on a horse shoe. Might just be the angle.

Noah, some good advice above. Cutting the string binding would not be an option I would consider.

For reference

Steven, In context, I said that if the saya is wooden "it may mean" that parts are stuck on. My reasoning for this possibility is that a wooden saya with a non-military kuchigane and fitted with a leather combat saya would typically be bare timber with no other fittings. (I'm leaving wooden/ishimi saya's out of this). But again, if the pics were better, I'm sure you would receive better comment.... for instance, many of us just missed two wopping cable ties in the first pic.