robinalexander

Nice clean package Gareth

Mike, Stephen's comment was spot on and if it was obtained in Japan it wouldn't have any surrender tag (linen or wood). Does it have any 'story' or any paperwork? If not, then the only thing I could thing I could think of, and its a loooooooooooooooooooong shot, ( ok, I can hear some members chuckling now ), is that if the blade was 'made for someone' or 'presented to someone' it may be shown in kanji on the tang. I reckon the possibility of that happening is remote to say the least but if its not highlighted then you cant exclude it. So as Stephen says, post a couple of clear pics of the sword, blade and both sides of the tang and this may add something to your question.....or not. We all like sword pics. Rob

Well done Geoff, I agree with your sentiment on this entirely. Rob

Wow nice find Bruce. That is a fantastic copper with such a low number....could easily complete my collection with a small lottery win but time will beat me unfortunately

Thats a very nice sword to have Volker. Would live to see some pics unless I have missed them on another thread? I have done a LOT of research into Australia's War Crimes Trials 1945-51 and own a Teruhide brought back from Rabaul by the first Aus. Judge Advocate and later prosecutor Capt. Stanford Asprey. Again, out of interest, a pic of Lt Gen. Takeo in custody of Aus. Forces.....maybe the same sword? Rob

Volker just in case you weren't aware, Lt. Gen. Takeo's death sentence as a war criminal was never carried out. He died in Japan in 1965 Rob

Very nice Gareth, I'm thinking a Type 94 (pierced Tsuba, central chuso, solid and quality fittings and same) cant see whether sarute is barrel type though. Great hamon and package all-round Rob

Is it possible that sellers are simply using the information that is available to them in terms of manufacture date. For instance Wiki (extract shown below) appears to show any modern blade made from 1876 to present is... ... you guessed it...Gendaito! Classification by period[edit] Main article: Japanese sword § History Each Japanese sword is classified according to when the blade was made.:[10] Jōkotō (上古刀 "ancient swords", until around 900 A.D.) Kotō (古刀"old swords" from around 900–1596) Shintō (新刀 "new swords" 1596–1780) Shinshintō (新々刀 "new new swords" 1781–1876) Gendaitō (現代刀 "modern or contemporary swords" 1876– present) I am sure most have seen these time lines on various websites and I can understand why there is confusion with new collectors when this information is so clear.......not to mention the ever ongoing debate about exactly constitutes a Gendaito blade (but PLEASE don't go there now! Another time line below showing Gendai era 1877- 1945. Very confusing for many.

Elissa, Sorry but I agree wholeheartedly with Tom. Rob

Another good find John but what do you make of the silver sarute? That is new to me. Rob

Welcome Roger, (AngryBaconGod that has a ring to it ) Other members will chime in on your question but to save time, could you remove the handle (tsuka) by removing the wooden 'pin' (mekugi) and exposing the end of the blade(tang) that is now under the tsuka. It may, or may not , have kanji on it but In any event could you take and post clear pictures of both sides of the tang. Rob

Tony, I'm no expert but have bought a few of these. For what my opinion is worth...I would buy the blue one (maybe early production tassel). I would not buy the purple one for the following reasons. 1. Its purple and if it was faded, it would be a faded purple tone, not the vibrant shade as it is. 2. The purple you can see on the knot is quite newish/clean/vibrant rather than more touched/used as you would expect a knot to be. This is also inconsistent with the condition ofmthe tassels themselves. 3. In my limited experience I have never seen such a purple shade (faded or not) and therefore I would wonder about it, every time I looked at it. All my opinion 😊...... look fwd tk what others (particularly John thinks). Rob

Nice find John...wish I knew what they were saying.

PS....somewhat ironically, I was working for Australia Post at that time

John, I am sure you are across the postal enquiry process but for what its worth I tend to use the 'shotgun' approach and have the sender as well as the receiver (you) lodge missing article forms with both USPS and Austpost. Apologies if Ism stating the obvious. Missing Mail and Lost Packages | USPS Find a missing item - Australia Post (auspost.com.au) Digressing, I remember I had a surf board stolen from my car roof in Sydney in the 1970's but I still reported it to police...18 months later there was a bust in a Sydney suburb and guess what, got a call from the local constabulary to come pick up my board...surprised! The moral in that for me was to use every process at my disposal regardless of how futile it may seem at the time. Will keep eyes out like everyone, good luck Rob

John sorry to hear this,..everyones nightmare but a worthwhile notification on your part. Do you know which country it was last (guaranteed) to be in. Or alternatively, which country do you think it went missing in? Rob

Thanks Bruce good info. Hadnt noticed the W. So it appears that unlike some other gunto fittings, there was one for IJA and another for IJN and little to no variation within these two types.

Greetings, Thought it may be interesting to delve into the (many?) variations in extended chape found on kai gunto's and, as I recently disovered, Type 98's. My understanding is that all kai gunto extended chapes have the same manufacturers' number but I dont know if the same applies to Type 98's, or even, Type 94's? So if you would like to share some pics and comments, I'm sure they would be well received. Hello Bruce, I dont know if you have started documenting these specifically. A couple of pictures attached to kick off which are on my kai gunto and unlike the later Type 97's fittings, mine appear to be nice solid brass with no previous gilding evident. Finally, I'm not sure of the correct name for an extended chape so I just included them all in the title above....if you know, then pls enlighten me. Rob

Steve, I agree with Doug and Matt above.... in regard to the current worth or value of this late Type 95 (i.e. US $600 to $850) and $900 would be top end. It is clear that some ebay sellers are asking far more ridiculous prices for these but....are they getting that price? I doubt it. Brian...from my observation, yes, quite often haphazardly stamped certainly more so than earlier Type 95 versions.. Rob

Wow, so essentially its a just a variation on the common fishing hook.

Nice post Baz, sorry I cant answer any questions but I can add one pic and interstingly, the 'rifle' has been identified as a musket. Tachi with mon on saya cover? Rob

Saya throat plus one more pic.....

So here is the third version Type 95 from my 95 orphanage. I live it just as much as the others (it's just different). One side of the saya is in quite reasonable used/aged condition with some olive drab clearly present while the other side looks as if its been lying in water for a long long time. No paint that side but a really 'nice' patina and unfortunately, some heavy rust pitting in places. Tsuka is reasonable with blackened iron fuchi still showing faint Seki Token (???) with Nagoya inspection stamp and Nagoya Arsenal stamp. The blade (number 200395) and the saya throat has suffered from rust, both outside and also where number was stamped. Still trying to apply some x-ray vision to work out if numbers match but that will always be an impossible task. A lot of dark staining on both sides of blade and some heavy pitting (old rust) on both sides of blade mainly (but not entirely) toward the kissaki. No saya inserts when I bought it....metal on metal I'm afraid so I made two and 'bobs your uncle'. Could write my own book on that process! Everything is tight....nice.

Tony if thats your lowest quality 95 I reckon your best must be very good. I will put up my lowest quality tonight ... dont hold your breath, it is very honest but must have been spent the last 70 years in a swamp (looks like the blade may have been eaten away by swamp gas!). Later tonight. Rob

ok Neil...I'll take the one on the far right Rob