Kiipu

In the United States, for over 30 years, black paint on weapons is associated with the Japanese navy. This falls into the common knowledge category over on this side of the pond. To my knowledge though, there is no documentation about this, it is just the knowledge handed down from the prior generation of collectors. With that said, I have no evidence that the Japanese navy used the Type 95 to begin with. An interesting thread and if I learn of anything concrete, will chime in again.

Your "methylated spirits" is called "denatured alcohol" in the United States and is also used as a fuel over here. The "strong alcohol" I was referring to is called "industrial alcohol" and was sold in a 1 quart metal can. In the States, the average home garage would also have paint thinner, lacquer thinner, and as Bruce mentioned, acetone. I myself never used acetone, instead preferring lacquer thinner for stripping. I also used 91% rubbing alcohol for certain purposes, such as removing ballpoint pen ink and permanent marker. For removing adhesives, like those paper back price stickers, I used coal tar oil, better known as lighter fluid. Spray paint just melts away upon contact with alcohol. It can literally to wiped away with a towel or cloth. It is really that fast, hence my comment about a cotton swab test. My one experience with Japanese black paint was on a trainer. My reason for wanting to remove the paint in the first place was because I thought it was possibly a postwar job. It did not take long for me to learn the errors of my way. My experience mirrored Bruce's, the black paint was difficult to remove, even with a short-bristle brush. The paint they used would soften up a little, tacky to the touch, but did not want to go away in a friendly sort of way. In the end, I decided to just leave well enough alone.

Below is the citation for the book. Sekishi kyōiku iinkai 関市教育委員会 [Seki City Board of Education]. Sekishi-shi 関市史 [History of Seki City]. Seki: Seki City, 1967. https://ndlonline.ndl.go.jp/#!/detail/R300000001-I000001107649-00 The table of contents can be found at the link below. https://www.library.pref.gifu.lg.jp/gifuken-mokuji/seki/seki.htm

Jinsen was never noted for their quality control! Jinsen could have started with the Pattern 5 and then moved on to the Pattern 6. Jinsen serial number 300060 has a matching steel scabbard that is painted black. However, the tsuka was painted gray so it may be just best to ignore the colors for the time being. The next sword after yours is serial number 300107 and it has an unserialized wooden scabbard with the black metal fittings and green painted wood or is it canvass? It would not surprise me in the least if Nagoya Arsenal supplied Type 95 component parts to assist Jinsen in getting production started. Jinsen Arsenal assisted Hōten (Mukden) Arsenal Company, Limited, in setting up Type 99 Short Rifle production and Chūō Kōgyō KK assisted Hōten Arsenal Co., Ltd., with Type 99 LMG production. In both cases, component parts were supplied and used in production.

I re-looked at the pictures and I would like to point out that the bottom of the scabbard has been sanded down. This was possibly done to address the rust issue in this area. Another comment while I am at it, one can distinguish between spray paint and regular paint with a simple test. Just take a q-tip and soak it in strong alcohol and dab it on the paint in an area that you are not concerned about. Spray paint will easily come off while regular paint will be more resistant. I say this based upon personal experience.

Your sword was made by Suya under the supervision of Kokura Arsenal. Here is a link to a basic overview of the Type 95. IJA Type 95 NCO Sword Info Type 95s do show up with black painted scabbards. The black paint on yours is old and showing signs of age. The bubbling could indicate exposure to heat over a period of time and/or just a chemical breakdown of the paint from age. Below is a link to an article about Japanese sword care. At the bottom of the page there is an orange link to download a PDF copy. Japanese Sword Care and Etiquette

Here is the listing for those that care to take a look. For the Shin Gunto collector who has everything

A similar sword was recently acquired by ribendao and can be seen at the link below. Light weight/Dress Shingunto

Another small detail is I do not see any provision for a scabbard lock on these while Bruce's does have a scabbard lock. The fitting are army all the way through and that rules out use by other government organizations. I think these are pre-1938 manufacture and tend to agree with John above. Bruce's sword seems to be the next step in the evolution of the concept. Make is showy but also make it functionial.

Thanks for the prompt reply. In regards to the mon, post the picture in the thread below. Help Identity Our Mons.

Shortly after this thread started in October 2011, Slough san passed away according to this NMB thread. RIP John Scott Slough, Modern Japanese Swordsmiths 1868-1945

Bruce, can you measure the width of the blade at the junction of the tsuba so as to compare to the one linked below. Note the distinct size difference compared to yours. Light weight/Dress Shingunto

This does indeed appear to be a lightweight army Type 98 dress sword. Note that the fittings are all sized smaller and this would require molds to manufacture. Definitely not a custom sword. Note the pierced crossguard (tsuba). Next time you have the sword disassembled, I would like to see pictures of both sides of the nakago. In the meantime, can you measure the width of the blade were it meets the crossguard. I will ask Bruce to do the same on his and lets see what happens.

Are there any markings on the sword? Also, is the blade chromed and acid etched like a dress sword? Does the blade have an edge to it? What is the weight of the sword in relation to the other sword pictured? Does the scabbard show evidence of a second hanger at one time? This one seems smaller than the one Bruce has. Possibly a different maker and a different purpose in mind. Chromed And Fullered Type 98

Jussi, could it possibly be August 1869, the year of the snake? 明治二年八月日 = A day in August 1869. 巳 = snake. Sexagenary cycle

Thank you for sharing pictures of your sword. Your sword was made by Suya, a well known Japanese sword company, under the supervision of Kokura Arsenal. Below is a link to an article about sword care. At the bottom of the page there is an orange link to download a PDF copy. Japanese Sword Care and Etiquette

Here is a good online source to get started. It will answer most of the basic questions. IJA Type 95 NCO Sword Info These Type 95s are frequently referred to on this forum by patterns. Stegel has posted an info-graphic on this and it can be found at the link below. Questions about "late war", NCO swords, Post #37

Here is a shortcut to the thread. Information

Thanks for the prompt reply BangBangSan. I found some additional pictures of the other one over at another thread. This one could be 277? Post #18 I think these are literally the last swords off of the production line. Some factories just plain stopped inspecting and serializing weapons in late July and August 1945. The goal now was just get something out the door and into the hands of the troops before the invasion came in November 1945.

Thanks Bruce for the followup. So the assembly number is 11 and that is the only marking that shows up. A few more questions to assist in classifying the sword, does the blade have an edge to it and could it be used as a sword if need be? Is the hamon acid etched like on some parade/dress swords from this time frame? What is the weight difference between this and a standard Type 94/98? Considering that there were few swordsmiths around during the 1934 to 1938 time frame, it does not surprise me that so many non-traditional made blades show up in the early Type 94 and 98s. In those early years, there would have been a need for an economy version of the 94/98 and the sword companies stepped up to the plate to supply them. The one pictured above appears to fall into this category.

I am curious about these two unserialized Type 95 swords and I am wondering what are the actual three digit numbers which are located on the scabbard throat mouths? They are kinda hard to read via the pictures. Can you see the numbers more clearly in person? Stegel in post #37 alluded to this variation and mentions some exhibit evidence of a previous serial number on the blade. Does your two swords show any evidence of a blade serial number being removed? Trying placing the flat edge of a ruler on the blade to see if there is any sign of an indentation.

Better late, than never! If the sword is still at hand, I would like to see a picture of this nakago marking. Also, there appears to be some sort of marking on one of the seppa. It looks like a square but the resolution is poor. Are there any other markings on this sword?

The navy had an inspector at Tenshōzan Tanren-Ba 天照山鍛錬場 that used a unique anchor stamp. Below are the occurrences of the anchor stamp by year. For reasons unknown, Tenshōzan seems to have stopped dating blades sometime in 1943 or 1944. 1939: 1. 1940: 0. 1941: 0. 1942: 4. 1943: 4. Undated: 3 (most likely made after 1943).

Can you measure the height of the 関 Seki stamp in the picture above in millimeters? In the picture it is rotated sideways and I need the height and not the width. 関

In the table, you need to separate the non-military stamps from the military stamps. The table should be in the order below. 昭 Shō within/inside a cherry blossom. 関 Seki (5 mm height per link in post #632). 岐 Gi within a cherry blossom. After the non-military stamps, the military inspection marks can be listed. What is the height of the small 関 [Seki] stamp in millimeters?