DTM72

@Bryce I could see how that is an option, but the entire nakago has bad grinding marks on it. Maybe due to poor machinery being available in a remote area? This one is still a mystery to me. I'll send it through the Orlando shinsa in June and they will tell me who made it. Seriously, I will have it on my sales table at the Orlando show.

Besides the leather saya cover, and the leather tsuka cover, I didn't snap a picture of the leather cover that goes over the entire tsuka and tsuba. I have a picture of one like it that is currently for sale in Japan. With all the leather covers, this leads me to believe this sword was somewhere very humid and or rainy.

I chatted with him online, and over the phone. Very nice gentlemen and I have no reason to doubt that all 5 swords he had, has been in his family for the past 50 years. The one I posted in the "Island Sword" thread may be a 50 year old Chinese reproduction, but a good quality reproduction. I still lean towards it being a lower quality island made piece. Enough about that one, back to NCO swords!

Great memory! You are correct, that is the same one.

The blade itself looked good to me, but when I pulled off the tsuka my face was like...

@Bruce Pennington @Kiipu @mdiddy

I just got this Type 95 as part of a group. Blade is serial number 93458 but saya is 120429. I am figuring that the saya was swapped in the field. Along with the field work theory, I noticed there is no upper mekugi, like the copper handles. It is only held on by the lower sarute. You can clearly see the smooth area where the hole should be, but nothing. The leather tassel is not correct for this type of tsuba and should have the buckle, but I’m not complaining. Open to discussion on this one.

I may have another one that is a possible island sword. I got this as part of a group of 5 swords. All are authentic WWII vintage and have been in the same family for 50 years. The leather on the tsuka has imprinted itself to the underlying ito and appears to have some age to it. The ito alternates as it should and it appears well done. The Ray skin is authentic and has an older grayish appearance. Bamboo leaf menuki reminds me of the civilian versions available in the WWII timeframe. The blade itself is shaped well with no waves in the shinogi line or in the thickness of the shinogi itself. I cannot see a temper line or yakote line. Open to opinions on this one.

@missourigunguy if you click on the link above provided by Schneeds, you will see on the lower left side that the smith made "Medium to High-Grade Showato" AND "High to Superior-Grade Gendaito" the 2M Yen is supposed to be the value of the best katana hand-made by that particular smith, in perfect condition. Your sword contains the Showa stamp, indicating your sword is a machine-made blade, NOT a hand-made gendaito. Being a Showato, the value is much less than a gendaito. Add to that, your blade is in decent condition, but not freshly polished. Put all that together, a decent showato with decent fittings will sell anywhere from $750-2000 USD based upon condition. Please don't think I am knocking your blade. It is nice, for what it is. I wish you all the best. Dan

If only I have a nice Type 98 worthy of that tassel... Wishing you the best with the sale! Dan

As I sit here at work, earning more money for Uncle Sam today and tomorrow. Then I fly out on Sunday for San Jose, California to work there until Wednesday. This work stuff is preventing me from making the Chicago show this year. Mark jones is a great guy and runs a great show in Chicago. I wish Mark Jones and all the vendors and attendees a great weekend at the show. POST LOTS OF PICS!

I have been trying to find a nice kaigunto with sharkskin saya, vs. the same' skin. Hard to find. The one above makes me . That kaigunto would make a good match with my sharkskin kyugunto.

Sold for $2751 !

Teiji began in 1362, so that is Teiji 1. Teiji 2 would be 1363. When there are no number of days added to the nakago, and it ends with 月日 it is just translated to "A Day in.." As I posted above, yours is translated to "A day in March 1363"

The Northern Court - 北朝 貞治 Teiji 1362 貞 治 二 年 三 月 日 A day in March 1363

Speaking of the bohi, not sure if anyone has ever looked but I noticed the beginning and ends of the bohi are not the same on both sides. As I looked at the blade with the edge facing me, I could see the two sides were different.

I knew as soon as I saw the brass handle…😢😭 guy paid $500 for it. I showed him the difference between brass (yellow) and copper (reddish brown) and also pointed out all the other problems with it. No rare item for me. 😫

Will do.

Meeting tomorrow at 5:30pm so hopefully I have a special addition to my collection. Thank you Bruce and @Kiipu!

At a recent show, an older gentleman took my card. He contacted me today, offering me what he believes to be the elusive copper handled NCO. He has a flip phone and cannot send pics. He is local and I am looking for tips on positive identification. Let’s start with what I know, or think I know. Should have serial number between 1 and 7000. Should have thick brass tsuba with top latch. Should have only one screw through the kashira aimless repaired in field with additional upper screw where mekugi would go. Should have clear stamps on fuchi. Should have good beginning and end to bohi. Things I am not sure of; Type of drag on saya Color(s) of saya Please add anything additional I should look for. @Shamsy @Bruce Pennington Thanks in advance! Dan

Item was relisted. Reserve NOT met $3600. Hmmm.

I will have a table at the Orlando sword show/shinsa, and will be offering a submission service as well. Click the link below and scroll down for my post, detailing what to expect for submitting your item(s). Dan

I will try again soon, and take better pictures. Thank you for your replies so far!

I tried that. It doesn't seem to work. I wore the armor this past weekend. I tied the obi tight and got the shoulder straps off my shoulders. Still, the sode shifted rearwards. Maybe I need longer rear strings to shift the sode?

When a shin-shinto smith makes a blade in honor of an older koto smith, what is it called? I was thinking it is clled utushimono but I can't seem to find anything on here or Google about it. Whatever it is called, please give me the name and kanji for it. Much appreciated!