robinalexander

Yep I agree it all looks authentic Paul. Good article by Steve on 95's just in case you missed it on the NMB. https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/31314-Japanese-type-95-sword-for-ncos/ Rob

What Chris said 🖒

Yes thanks Ian. Keep going. I grappled with the enormity of the auction, reviewed/researched as much as possible, was not aggressive enough on what I liked, bid on a couple including the first copper 95 but lost on that and some other 94's and 98's I should have gone higher on. Enjoying you sharing your knowledge and experience. Rob

Good pics and quick response Justin. I'm no expert on mekugi pegs but I just get the feeling that your 'peg' is poorly made and maybe not even designed to be removed. I hope not but the last picture shows either that it is poorly made (most likely in my mind) or someone has had a real go at it trying to remove it. Maybe a pre-war Wak with a post war refit/makeover? Rob

Justin, Looks vaguely like a larger (free standing) sarute barrel from a 94. Is it possible to post a couple of clearer and closer pics of each side of the 'pin' (mekugi)? It might just give someone a better clue. Rob

I tuned in to the auction last night and was soooo surprised at the high prices for many items. However there were many nice pieces. The prices paid for 95's were embarrassingly high particularly when you include commission and possibly postage. Interestingly, the coppers were probably more down to earth than the later types. If anyone is interested, I have recorded about 90% of the sold prices so if you need to know, just ask on the forum or by PM if you wish and I will be happy to advise of sold price for any particular Lot recorded (it was public info last night so it should be public info today ) Rob

I think your right on the mark Ernie. Just did a quick question search on google as to what the colour yellow means in Japan. Googles answer...... courage 2005/1/27 21:33. I find that fascinating, that in Japan the color yellow is one of courage. Here in America, it is the exact opposite. Yellow is considered the color of cowardice; indeed, to "show a yellow streak up the back" or to be "yellow bellied" or even just to be "yellow" is to be insultingly termed a coward.25 Jan 2005 https://www.Japan-guide.com › forum Meaning of yellow? - Japan-guide.com forum

And and another from Kyle @kyushukairu on a 2018 thread

This RS was purchased from a board member and had a red tassel. (Nobumitsu March 1945). It looks exactly like a chinese tassel that you could buy now on Ebay. Its not silk. Have tried to find out its origin but no response from original owner. It has been on there a while by the look of it but definately no way it is IJA. Belived to have come from Saipan area bought back by a Marine (hi Stephen). Good story anyway. At this point it will be left on the sword because thats the way it came.....any future owner can decide differently if they wish. Rob

Thanks Bruce just dont want to hijack your yelllow thread. The tassel you are remembering is an unkown orange/red made of silk, and what sets it apart from a sword bag tassel or a jitte tassel or even an IJA bugle tassel are the two slide knots which are clearly part of the oackage and well made. Also the evidence of previously being fixed to something like a sarute. Still a mystery I'm afraid I bought it as part if a job lot of various IJA rank tassels, IJN tassels and sword hangers...all from a bona-fide lifetime collector (now deceased- RIP). Now..... the red one I was referring to above, I will post separately below.

Alas, I only have a red one on a RS (Type 3)...I'll wait for a 'red' thread.

Not sure if its my eyes but the Mune looks flat (Hira mune)? If so, its another reason it is not genuine, should be pointed (Iori mune). In any case I wouldn't buy it.

Nice work Bob...that's a noticeable improvement that wont adversely effect the blade at all. I can certainly see the old cosmoline now! You may be able to squeeze a little more 'glow' out of it if you keep going but that's up to you. Rob

Ok Bob....but please dont try the 'oil and bronze brush' on the 98

However, I should add that from what I can see, it looks a little more like natural oxidization of the blade that has occured over the last 70 odd years rather than WW2 preservative/grease. If that is the case then nothing short of a professional polish will improve the blade and that is often 'cost prohibitive'. Rob

Bob, if its Cosmoline on the blade then a product called Nevr-Dull will remove it.... eventually. If its not Cosmoline, then N-D will not hurt it or detract from any hamon or hada that may be present/see-able (if thats a word). Rob

Doesn't look like it but close.

I also have no expertise in regard to your question. My opinion only, I would have though that the sunray pattern on kai seppa would have come about as a direct result of WW2 design and subsequent regulations. Assuming for a moment that is true, its feasible that the sunray pattern itself could have been based on some earlier historical design that happened to appeal to those deciding on the design for the complete IJN. Just thoughts. Rob

Vittorio, Good smith, Gendaito and overall, nice piece of militaria. You will enjoy it. Maybe not a bargain price, but it was quite reasonable and you will not loose money on it Rob

I tend to agree Bruce, only human that some will want something a little different and it might have been possible with the right superiors, in the right location and with the 'right' favour. The colour reminds of of the 'red' that is so prominent on uniforms of British/Australian staff officers. A clear colour differentiation from other military types. I have no problem considering the possibility that some 'staff' officers' may have had more of bent on impressing others than those actually in the field. Rob

Bring it on Tony.

Bruce, @Bruce Pennington maybe this is not the full answer to your question but by chance, the message below just popped up on another current thread. Different-species Gunto & Civilian army employee swords (ohmura-study.net) ----- Army civilian employee Gunto by Bruno

Barrett.....now I'm being serious....i have someone very close to me with Bi-Polar that I have been struggling to help for over a decade ...your messages remind me so much of his unmedicated hypomanic bouts....and NO I am not saying you have Bi-Polar or NO I am not saying you are hypomanic, but your messages remind me way too much of this type of behaviour. Very sadly. I have said this in the past and I can not speak in behalf of the NMB but it may be better if you locate a forum that is better suited to your interests. I wish you all the best Barrett. Rob

"Cannot make out any hada due to someone using what I suspect as never-dull. " Hello Dan, I very much doubt that Nevr-Dul on its own would cause that. Rob

Very interesting theads thanks Thomas.