robinalexander

Wow ...you guys must have x-ray vision! .....'looking' fwd to your next installment because I certainly cant see anything on the bag

Paul, If your measurement (second picture) of the nagasa is correct at 23 5/8 inches which is 60.0075 cm ..... to me, it would make it a katana not a wakizashi (30 to 60 cms). Although I accept there may be differing or more correct definitions of blade length for katana/wakizashi and if that is the case, hopefully someone will chime in. In any event from what I see, this really is border line, therefore it would be important to include the exact nagasa measurement in your advertisement so any prospective buyer was well aware of the actual blade length and could draw their own conclusions. But it is in Type 98 mounts and a nice WW2 package ... could you post any clearer close pics of the nakago/tang (both sides)? Rob

Hi John, Wakizashi's were made during WW2 but very rare....see attached thread

Welcome Jared, it's a fake.

Slightly off topic Kyle but I couldn't help posting this example of Fuji Moon once more... the best I have seen. Courtesy of one of Brian's @Brian posts a few years ago (tks)

Well mate, what a great question, that I wished you hadn't asked . My rationale - Considering the couple of mentions from other members on the thread I thought I would blow the picture up on the computer because I really couldnt see what they were referring to either. Then I saw exactly what Christian @DoTanuki yokai posted above. Like Christian, I am no expert on Fuji moons but, to me this looks rather nice even though the moon is way off to the right (possibly over the Asagiri Plains - see pic below ) than typically right over Fuji-san. Maybe a 'poor man's' fuji moon but I could love it all the same. Ya think, too much artistic licence or just too much time on my hands?

500 + The 'fuji/moon harmony puts it in a higher category for me ( pity about the ito)

Brian, I'm with the others (above) IMO this is definitely not authentic and I do not believe any of the fittings are either. Ageing of Ito, Same, metal fittings is really not that difficult but it's a pity their 'work' didn't include the nakago I'm have interest in Mal's @mecox comment re sarute barrel (no eyelet) but will PM him so as not to hijack the thread.

i see a VERY angry chook running to the left.

Nice one Bruce...gold without the usual round 'frame' you see on silver mon and your 100% right about the paint job .... its a shocker. Way too dodgy for me.

Hi John, a long shot. Could it be a good conduct embellishment added as an upgrade by owner? I haven't seen any greater than 3 x chevrons and if that is the case (?) if a soldier achieved that level, they wouldnt have to change/add to it (unless they went down ) Just a thought.

Hi Phil, I am going to take a wild guess and say no.

Maybe a Douglas A1-Skyraider .......2 x 100 lb white phos ..... ? From 1950 to 1953 in the Korean War and from 1962 to 1975 in Vietnam, the "Sandy," as it was called, served as a mainstay workhorse due to its payload, range and durability. The Air Force acquired it's a-1s from the Navy for counterinsurgency duty in Southeast Asia.

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.