Kiipu

Below are some examples of the signature style as used on yours. Keep in mind, this forge used several different styles depending upon who the smith was that signed. Anchor Mon On Rinji (Type 3) Translation Help on Kai-Gunto

The mei is Inaba 伊奈波. I have some recorded with the exact same style of signature. The signatures vary considerable with these blades.

Ditto what David said above. Place the blade, sandwiched between wood blocks, in a vice near the bend and gently pull the handle toward you. Might not need to remove the handle to do this. No need to use force on this, just leverage it gently. (This only applies to blades of one-piece construction, such as bayonets or Type 25/32/95 swords.) Good luck and keep up posted.

Taylor, what exactly is that black material that is under the ito wrap on the handle made of? Is it cloth, paint, paper, electrical tape, etc.?

The source of the pictures you posted of Type 95, serial number 71, can be seen via the link below. Hope this helps. Type 95 Nco Copper Hilt

Some more that I found on an old NMB thread. Odd Mon Left Column 進藤 江副

The Bamban WWII Museum near Clark Field, Philippines, has some Japanese swords in the collection. Note the picture of a naval sword with a unique hilt. Looking for relic condition type 38 wood for museum

Maybe a poorly written ㋩海軍拵え?

The previous owner even wrote his name on the blade along with an ID number in case it got stolen. I think I will do this with all of mine as well. Great minds think alike! 小田一郎

The closest it could be is a katakana SO. The tsuba also has a 63. More than likely it is a subassembly number. ソ63

John, you never cease to amaze me. 九八式軍刀拵　山本軍刀店製作

Nagamitsu? Note the 2 instead of a 1. See this GBF thread. WTS Nagamitsu sword Edit: Must be signed in as it is in the "Japanese Trader Board." The seller had this to say and will also attach the nakago mune picture for those that do not have access. X

It is not a serial number but a utility model registration number. Looks like the 用 was stamped upside down? 實用新案 = jitsuyō shin'an = utility models.

Trystan, some questions about serial number 487 with the 篠 inspection mark. 1. Does the crossguard have an arsenal logo? 2. Is there a hole for a rivet & finger loop in the crossguard? Is the hole filled? 3. What is the serial number of the scabbard?

Just a quick note, there is one other and it is in Bruce's Stamps of the Japanese Sword document. Will post links later. Edit: Below is the link to the other one. It is coming from a 2015 eBay listing. Arsenal Stamps.

John, I think the numbers got transposed as Dawson does not have 9090 recorded. My information is coming from the same source he used. For this reason, I am not sure on which end the mistake was made. His letter to me is as I stated above.

Mal, I assumed it was Nishimura Jin'ichi 西村仁一. The characters 金重 can be pronounced as either Kaneshige or Kinjū. Historically, both pronunciations were used in Mino Province. I opted to go with the pronunciation as used by Sesko.

☆ 濃州住金重 = ☆ Nōshū-jū Kaneshige. 名 = Nagoya Army Arsenal final inspection mark above the date. 昭和十九年二月日 = 1944 February.

John, I rechecked my correspondence and this is what I have for you. The correspondent had seen eight Meiji 25s over a period of 15 years. He noted the scabbard numbers when possible. Letter dated 1999-0215 1) 5578 (scabbard # 3954). 2) 9090 (scabbard # 8170). 3) 16065 (scabbard # 6609). 4) 10781 (scabbard # 13454). 5) 14408 (blade & scabbard no's match). 6) 575 (no scabbard # reported). 7) 9777 (no scabbard # reported). Letter dated 1999-0307 Blade serial number 325 that still had the leather finger loop on the D. guard. [This was the only one that he had seen with a finger loop still existing.] In summary, only one sword still had matching numbers and another sword still had an intact finger loop. No blade inspection marks were reported nor did I ask for them.

John, below is the proper name for this sword. There is no Type in the name. Oddly enough, within a year or two, type was introduced, as in Type 26 Revolver! 明治二五年騎兵刀 = Meiji 25th Year Cavalry Sword = 1892 Cavalry Sword.

Conway, when time permits, can you answer the following questions about 9536. 1. Does it have an arsenal logo on the crossguard? 2. What is the scabbard's serial number? 3. Does it have a leather finger loop?

I have three that I do not see on your list. Below is all the information I have which is coming via text (no pictures). Blade # 2522, no arsenal logo, scabbard # 2522, yahoo.co.jp. Blade # 9090, scabbard # 8170, private collection. Blade # 9777, no other information, private collection. Hope this helps.

Everything is still OK, I just looked at the wrong ferrule picture. Serial number 137101 was made by Iijima under Kokura Army Arsenal supervision. Shortly after, the supervising arsenal changed to Tōkyō 1st. The Tōkyō 1st logo can be seen in the picture in the 2nd post by John C. I would recommend reading up on these swords first and then buying. Ask Sam how easy that is!

Tyler, I edited my post above as I looked at some of the wrong pictures. The 137,000 range would date from late in fiscal year 1942 (April 1942 to March 1943). For an advanced education about Type 95s, carefully read the WRF thread via the link below. Short Development History of Type 95 Gunto Senility is a terrible thing to waste!

It was in the 137,000 range that Iijima began switching arsenal logos from Kokura to Tōkyō 1st. So both logos appear in this serial number range and slightly beyond. I agree with Conway that the scabbard might have been repainted. One can clearly see the paintbrush strokes running lengthwise. If this was done, then it is likely that the sword has been cleaned up in general. And finally, agree with "lonely panet" that it is real. Tyler, many thanks for posting the pictures.