robinalexander

Grev, I can't help feeling it was put together out of practical necessity (for any number of reasons) rather than being custom but either way I agree with Bruce that it appears a WW2 period alteration. I don't want to keep this going any longer than you are happy to, but my mind now turns to the question of restoration/conservation (not embellishment) and I would be very interested to see a few clear pics of the 'electrical taping' that has been done to the saya. Also the split in the saya. Depending on the result, I (and others ?) may have some ideas and happy to talk about them here or PM your call on that. Rob

Sorry folks, I threw the word "heirloom' in there but only as a an 'cover-all' to suggest to Grev to simply establish its bona-fides before he offers it for sale. I know as much about tsuba's as a hog does about sunday. Didn't intend to imply it was ...... [what I referred to it as]

Yes Trystan, Im now in agreeance with that too....others eyes are better than mine. Blade numbers are certainly good.

Der....thanks Trystan. Clearly dosn't take much to confuse me Have you seen many sideways? Or is that something that is more prevelent on late war blades? Rob

Also forget to mention...no need to "dismantle" the tsuka from tang (unless you firmly believe its a fake). There is nothing to see on the tang of a 95, the screws/sarute might suffer and it might not go back together as well as it is now. Rob

Grev, I would hazzard a guess and say that it is authentic WW2 combination. That view is based on the existence of the seppa/retention strap which looks period and it is broken which is also common for an original item. I just dont think someone would add that post war but who knows. Hard to make any call on the WW2 authenticity of the saya itself apart from saying it is unlikely to be a 95 saya. So for pics I would ask for ....... 1. clear pics of the entire saya with a couple of close up of top and bottom. 2. Pics of the number and inspection stamp on the blade, and finally 3. I would like to see a close up of the 'same' on the tsuka ..... just to make sure its the real McCoy. The tsuba guys on NMB may be able to make some sort of comment on the tsuba (rough possible age whether it may be an heirloom) All that should put you in a better position to establish a price and have some confidence in wording of an advert. Rob

Bruce & others will have this question done and dusted pretty quickly I imagine. I'm in the process of cataloging and I came across this stamp on the blade of a late war Type 95. I dont know if its been badly struck or not....its seems clear but I cant see it in Bruce's great 'Stamps' download and couldnt readily find it in the Arsenal Stamps thread. Any clues? Tks Rob

Thanks Grev, Some confirmation would be good. On a closer look the tsuka (nice paint!), fuchi and blade look genuine however you would need to check number/inspection stamp on the blade. The saya appears to be a 'ring in' thus the retention strap/tsuba hole...if this is correct, IMO you may have to lower your sights on the price .....significantly. Rob

Grev 1200 GBP would be well above my budget for mid 95. Unusual tsuba dont think its regulation. With retention strap hole as well? Could we get some pics of the saya and throat ? (from what I can see also looks a little alien to the sword) Tks Rob

Tks for the follow up Steve...I will keep an eye on the post.

Hi Tyler welcome. @Shamsy Sham there are a couple of things that I find interesting about this sword and you might be able to enlighten me. Pic 1. The centre stamp is quite strongly and clearly punched and I thought it would be a Nagoya Inspection mark, however it looks more like 'G' . I know there is a very general similarity between G shape and Na stamp but this just looks quite different. Also appears to be a flat head brass screw holding the throat. Nothing too weird about that as could be a war time replacement but again, I'm just used to seeing round head brass screws in that role. Pic 2. @Fallout420 Tyler would it be possible to get a clearer pictures of the saya throat number and the kissaki (tip of blade)? In this particular picture, if you look at the 'scew' holding the saya throat, it actually looks more like a small nut (???) ...cant work out why it looks like that because its on the same side as the pics that show a flat head screw. Pic. 3 The Bo-Hi certainly gets off to a wonky start but my main question is....where is the inspection stamp? Just observations, but would appreciate any clarification. Rob

Hi Steve .. I apologise in advance if you already know this but 'suriage' means the tang has been shortened at some point, and as a consequence, the full mei is often lost. Rob

Then in this case, no date unfortunately David. Rob

to answer a question with a question....is there anything on the other side of the tang? Rob

You know Jack....I have never been a fan of repainting saya's....a bad/rough original is WAY better than any repaint job. That said........in this case I would definately make an exception. The stripping of this saya would surely have to be post war and if that is the case then nothing about the finish (only the finish) is genuine. In repainting, the biggest challenge is getting the correct colour/shade and the second biggest challenge is producing a finish that doesn't look like it was painted yesterday (and no paint brushes). Some experimentation I imagine....slowly, patiently and know when to stop. If you were to go down that path, the current rust could work to your advantage. Although it would still need to be neutralized at some stage of the process but necessarily at the start of the project. Would be an interesting and probably enjoyable project. Just thinking out-loud. Rob

Thanks Bruce @Bruce Pennington I refer to your great 'Stamps' download, all the time....keep building it please!

Thanks Thomas @KiipuI will have to read the posting info and work out how to copy Thread Links

Hi Jack, My opinion only. Sword looks ok. Type 95 (1938/41) Non Commissioned Officers (NCO) sword (issued). Maybe 11mm thicker tsuba which could fit with the early 15xxx number on the blade. Stamps are high in the fuchi (a little unusual) but look ok. 1st is ...Ijima Token Seisakusho (factory/maker) 2nd ....Tokyo 1st Arsenal Inspection mark 3rd ...Kokura Army Arsenal H Yes, it is clean (blade/tsuba/habaki)....I think someone has done that although the paint loss on the Tsuka (handle) is more consistant with its age. Now the saya (scabbard) is unusual...wonder if its been cleaned back to the metal or even chromed/repainted at some post war stage. Otherwise the saya loks ok to me too. Numbers are a little unusual BUT I have seen worse that have found to be genuine. So all up, looks genuine to me Dont worry, we will son find out if I am wrong 😊 Rob

Hattori MASAHIRO But will need to verified

Just found this old thread on Showato Wakizashi and thought I would add it here for future reference (not wishing to revive this thread) My First Gunto Blade Signed By DanielGJ, May 10, 2018 in Military Swords of Japan

Tks for staying with the 'gourd' mystery Bruce @Bruce Pennington

Ahhh....the evolution of the 'aged' saya. A bad 'copper' Type 95 copy currently on Ebay...what I find interesting is the extra work that has gone into the chipped/rusting saya. Havent seen this development before. F Y Interest Rob

14:20 ?

This picture is being used as an example in the sale of a Company grade tassel on Ebay. I find two things unusual ... 1. The way the tassel is tied to this sword, and 2. What do you think that is, tied around the top of the tsuka? Rob

Still having troublevwith yr link, so I copied amcouple of pics. Looks like a Wakazashi of civilian origin that was pressed into WW2 service possibly later in the war. The saya (scabard) is very interesting and I love the blade which I believe could be quite old. Others will add much more to this (and it may be more accurate 😊). You will need to remove the handle (tsuka) by firstly gently tapping out the mekugi peg (2nd pic). By the look of it, it could be tapped out from the opposite side than shown in the second pic. Use something smaller in diameter than the peg itself. Gently remove tsuka and have a look at the tang for any kanji/inscription. If there is something there. Post good pics in the 'Translation' thread on NMB. Just ask if u need help. Good luck. Rob