Scogg

It’s interesting to think about. I believe it would have cost money to have a mon added to an officer’s gunto, so it’s definitely a nice bonus to find one on a set of fittings. That said, I’ve seen mon on gunto with old blades as well as on Gendaito, and plenty of Showato. Because of that, I’m hesitant to use the mon as an indicator of blade quality. I do not know, but I wonder if it would cost and officer more to buy a brand new showato, or to have an older blade refitted. Someone else here might know or have a source for those $ details. Given the amount of customization available, it’s difficult to draw connections between the blade and any single component of the fittings. Compound all that with swapping and tampering post-war, it gets even messier. Extra things like Mon still do get me excited sometimes, but I usually try to remain objective and view each sword as a “unique individual”. Bruce’s example of the “type 3” contingency model is a good exception, where fittings and blade quality seem to show some correlation. All the best, -Sam

I'm not sure the presence of a mon would suggest anything about the blade itself. The reasoning behind my thinking, is that you often find mon on those Kyu Gunto parade/dress sabers, that have dull edge and artificial hamon. Best, -Sam

Can we see the whole saddle, or just that part? Is that the back support? Would love to see the whole thing... -Sam

Ohmura's website is a godsend; it's fabulous. Sometimes my computer decides to translate it a little funny, but otherwise it's an invaluable resource. Off of the web, my favorite publication about Military Swords of Japan is the following: Dawson, Jim. Swords of Imperial Japan, 1868–1945. Cyclopedia ed. Newnan, Ga.: Stenger-Scott Publishing, 2007. And for those who want to go even deeper, our very own Kiipu put this incredible bibliography together. Proved an invaluable resource while writing my Type 95 monograph:

Often times, I do not associate the mounts with blade quality necessarily. I try to asses both individually from eachother. That said, when I find a sword "in the wild" that has a really nice two piece habaki; I do get a little excited and tend to look a little closer. Exceptions to every rule. -Sam

I have encountered nice mounts with machined blades like zoheito

Interesting example, thank you for sharing. I'm interested in your reasoning for considering the fittings wartime original. Given how commonly fittings are mixed and matched post war. The seppa appears to overlap the hitsu-ana, which I have generally understood to be a sign that the components may not have been originally paired. That said, late fittings can be very rough. I’m curious how we collectively draw that line in the sand between modern crude castings (from original parts), versus the original parts themselves. I was recently told, from someone I consider a reliable source, of a person in the USA who is now passed away, that was casting “repair” parts in their workshop; and using originals to make moulds... Upon this discovery/revelation I have become more suspicious. Sincerely, -Sam

Hi Pete, cool box! This section is just fine. I am a moderator here, and I’m not sure what happened to your first post. Maybe it didn’t successfully post all the way? All I know is that I did not delete it. We typically only delete posts that are spam, offensive, or wildly off topic. Otherwise we just move them to the proper spot. Anyway, glad you were able to get it posted on the forum now. As far as those stained fingerprints on the interior of the box, my first thought would be the wood stain that’s on the exterior. Hard to be sure though. Now you just got to find a sword for it . Best of luck and welcome to the forum, -Sam

Perhaps, I have struggled to identify this smith. He does not appear in my Sesko swordsmith books, or on any of my Fuller/gregory/slough oshigata publications. The TOSHI is signed different than the one above, on the nakago, TOSHI is signed like this: 利

My feelings are the same as yours and John's. Tsuba #3 came to me with other parts that look very poorly cast, and I believe it to be a reproduction. I found it interesting that it appears to be a repro of the first two, but hard to know for sure. Good question, and I actually do not know how to date such Tsuba; me claiming they are "late war" was a slip-up, and may not be accurate. My thinking was the crudely drilled hitsu-ana. To me looks like it's meant for a leather retention strap often found on blades with no chuso and wooden saya + added hanger. I haphazardly associated such swords with later production, but I understand that's not always true. Like our favorite mantra: "never say never or always" Apologies for putting a date range on something that I actually cannot confirm, that's my mistake / slip-up. Would love to hear thoughts. All the best, -Sam

Hi Bryan, welcome to the forum. No problem, take your time with the photos even if it takes a few posts. Cropping them usually helps shrink the size, and the forum also has an image resizing tool at the top menu. If possible, show both sides of the tang, oriented so the tip of the blade is north and the tang south. Dark non reflective background works best. Looks like an interesting Type 98 shin-gunto, (meaning those are World War Two officers sword fittings, and they look real from here to me.). Best of luck, -Sam

Going through some spare parts, and comparing a gunto tsuba that recently came my way. I discovered that I have three, of what I believe, are the exact same style/type of late-war brass gunto tsuba. Although, I have always believed one of these three is a cast reproduction. I suspect it’s a cast copy of the other two. Can you spot it? Thoughts? Possibly two genuine from the same workshop and one cast? Or could all three be repro? Best, -Sam

I've not only been tracking these swords, but i've been buying and selling them myself so I can take photographs and measurements. Generally speaking for the "common variations", I try to buy them for $750-$1000 and I try to sell them for around $1000-$1200. After fees, taxes, and shipping, I do not make a profit doing this. I mostly just break even; in support of my document in the downloads section. My problem is, I tend to hold onto the rarer ones, and they're beginning to pile up . Anyway, I just thought people might like to know what I'm seeing for prices in the buying/selling side for the common variant Type 95 swords. -Sam PS: This is just my personal experience in the USA in 2026 - and I am just a collector not a dealer. By common variations I primarily mean: Variation#3 (aluminum hilt, symmetrical ito, brass tsuba.) Variation#4 (aluminum hilt, symmetrical ito, steel tsuba.)

Not all gunto fittings were marked or stamped, as far as I know. But anyway, this only came with the blade, tsuba, habaki, and saya. I added the seppa from a lot of seppa I bought years ago. There is no chuso. I also added the tsuka core from a different lot of parts I once purchased. It’s my belief that’s this sword was a hodgepodge of mixed up parts when I found it, and it remains that way. The tsuba could be a repro; I’ve seen several late war Tsuba look this way. Ohmura’s website is really awesome, but it’s not entirely comprehensive. There’s no way any of these parts are originally matching. The saya and blade are genuine, everything else is “put together”. Jokes aside @John C, you would give this blade better justice than I can, with your proximity to craftsmen and collectors, or if you were to make shirasaya. If you’re truly interested, I’d make you a good deal without profit in mind. Feel free to message me if interested. -Sam

Unlikely, unless there is any associated paperwork or a “surrender tag” with the blade. This would likely be a piece of fabric with writing on it affixed to the handle or scabbard. That said, even with an officers name, it’s not always possible to identify the specific individual. All the best, -Sam

Type 95 swords with leather scabbard covers are out there; but they are uncommon. I’m not particularly good with the tassels/leather/belts/“extras”; that’s almost a whole field of study in itself. I have primarily focused on the swords physical characteristics. That said, any time leather or fabric looks good as new, is reason to be suspicious and raise some red flags. I go to a lot of gun shows and militaria shows here in the US, and some of the older gentlemen will actually smell fabric or leather to see if it smells “rightly old”. I always thought that was funny, but maybe there’s something to it. Not that thats an option here. But buyer beware. -Sam

That one, is unfortunately a fake or replica. The points you bring up are good things to keep an eye out for on forgeries

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Thanks Tom. Let’s talk soon. It’s not perfect… far from it. Pretty ugly, and fairly "frankestein" if I say so myself - but maybe it's good that it's clearly pieced together until someone professional can address its issues. I'll attach my note of "pieced together from orphaned parts, 2026" also. A few too big seppa + a slightly too big tsuka core + an almost just right habaki = something reminiscent of a type 98 . The ito is just wrapped around the core for now; no samegawa or menuki. It all “fits”, with only a little rattle. At least this way I can handle it with a little more familiarity and the habaki sets nicely into the saya. Thanks guys! I’m off to my books to try to locate this smith now. All the best, -Sam

I agree that it’s likely the habaki that does not fit. Amazingly… I have quite a few orphaned parts, and a tsuka core. I could probably make this sword “complete” fairly easily. I just don’t like the idea that, if I were to pass away unexpectedly, people might think this “pieced together sword” would be wartime. And we all know how frustrating that can be. I’ll likely slap it together, and maybe put a little tag on it that says “assembled with found orphaned parts in 2026” or something. For now, I’m just enjoying it and looking into the smith. -Sam

Nagasa: 645mm Sori: 24mm Nakago: 210mm Kissaki: 38mm motohaba: 33mm sakihaba: 24mm motokasane: 7mm sakikasane: 5mm

Here’s the ishizuke that caught my attention. And some photos that demonstrates why I believe the habaki and/or saya not an original pairing with the blade:

Thanks Russ. It always feels good to rescue something from a gun show. Even if it’s not pristine. Im going to relocate my own thread to the Military Swords of Japan section now that we have the translation, big thanks to Ray. Apologies on my amateur photography. I’m not the best at it, and the sword is not in a great state of polish. An ugly palm print remains near the machi.

Indeed, early copper hilt swords have a horseshoe shaped plug. Sometime early on, they changed it to a straight plug. It does look a little funny though, and I’d like to see more photos of that scabbard end.

Hi Robert, Thats quite the inheritance! These are very desirable swords because fewer than 6756 were made before switching to an aluminum hilt. All three appear to be genuine to me at first glance, but I’d like to see more of that early one. I have a document in the download section about these I would encourage you to look over, and also you can read about them here: ohmura-study.net/957.html ohmura-study.net/794.html I track these swords and have seen copper hilt examples sell for between $2,000 (low) and $9,000 (high). Most going for between $4,000 and $6,000 (USD). Depending on condition and serial number. The high outlier of $9k was a 3 digit serial number example that was published in a well known book. Best of luck, -Sam